How to Make the Most of Strength Training
By Sandy Schroeder
You may be adding strength training to your regular workouts as you learn more about its benefits. If you are moving through your 30s or 40s, body strength may seem fairly automatic. Every day we polish off tasks that require us to carry, lift and tote things, but our muscles need to be maintained for the long haul.
As we look ahead, if we want to stay active, be fit, and do most of the things we do right now, strength training is crucial.
How Chiropractic Helps
To make the most of strength-training, you might use chiropractic for great support. Stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to find out what their wellness center can do for you. The Joint’s doctors of chiropractic focus on health, wellness and fitness every day.
Talk with your chiropractor about your goals and issues, as the two of you review your current strength, daily routine, and health history.
A gentle targeted spinal adjustment may ease daily aches and pains and provide new energy, more mental clarity, and better sleep. Weekly 15-minute spinal adjustments may keep the benefits coming, and create a great checkpoint to work on areas such as strength training.
Harvard Health has some suggestions to prevent injury and maximize weight training.
Get your doctor’s approval - Before beginning new exercises check in with your doctor to see how they will fit.
Start off on the right foot - Work with fitness specialists to learn good form to position your body correctly and exercise smoothly. Starting with light weights can help you perfect your form to do slow, smooth lifts. Then you can gradually increase the weights.
Choose weights carefully - Challenge muscles with weights that tire the muscle by the last two reps to let you keep a good form throughout.
Work on pace - Maintaining a good tempo to stay in control of your routine.
Remember to breathe as you move - Be aware your blood pressure can rise if you hold your breath during strength exercises. Breathe out as you lift, push or pull. Inhale as you relax.
Develop a regular schedule - Try for upper and lower body strength workouts two or three times a week.
Take breaks - Leave 48 hours between workouts to let muscles mend and recover.
When you are ready to work on health, wellness and fitness, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you. Affordable personal healthcare plans eliminate the hassle of insurance. Convenient weekend and evening hours are available and no appointments are needed.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.