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Why You Need to Start Strength Training Today
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
The aging process affects the human body in many ways. One thing that happens to all of us as we age is muscle loss.
Some experts say muscle loss begins around age 50. But others say it can start as early as age 30.
The Harvard Health Publishing website notes that "after age 30, you begin to lose as much as three percent to five percent" of muscle every 10 years. They add that most "men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes."
Experts may not know exactly when muscles loss starts. But they do know this: being inactive can speed up the process.
Now, the good news!
Lost muscles are not gone forever. Although muscle loss may be a natural part of aging, you can do some things to slow it down. It is better to start building muscles when you are younger and in good health. But it is never too late to start strength training.
But what exactly is "strength training"?
Simply put, strength training is any activity that makes one's muscles stronger. We will talk about those exercises a little later. But first, let us talk about some of the health benefits of strength training. This information comes from Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit health and research organization in the United States.
Here are reasons to start your strength training today.
Develop strong bones
Harvard University researchers say that strength training puts pressure on your bones. And that is a good thing. This pressure can increase the thickness or density1 of bones. This can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis -- a disease that weakens bones, making them easy to break.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But the Mayo Clinic notes that "white and Asian women — especially older women who are past menopause — are at highest risk."
Manage your weight
Strength training can help you to take control of your weight and even lose weight. Muscle weighs more than fat. But muscle increases your metabolism2, and a higher metabolism helps you burn more calories.
Improve your quality of life
Strength training can improve your ability to do everyday activities. For example, having stronger muscles makes it easier to lift and move things.
Strong muscles can improve your balance. So, your risk of falling or getting injured may be lessened3. As we age, this can greatly add to your quality of life.
Manage long-term health conditions
Experts say strength training can reduce the problems of many chronic4 -- or long-term -- disorders5, such as arthritis6, back pain, heart disease, diabetes7 and depression.
Improve your thinking skills
The Mayo Clinic says some research shows that regular strength training, when combined with other kinds of exercise, may help older adults think and learn better.
Equipment strength training
Resistance material is rubbery. When you pull on it, it gives your muscles resistance. There are many kinds of resistance material. They do not cost much and are often sold in sporting goods stores.
Free weights, commonly used in strength training, are handheld weights. They are not connected to exercise equipment; so, we call them "free." We also call them barbells or dumbbells. If you do not have free weights, you can use any heavy object that is safe to lift.
Many gyms and health clubs have weightlifting or resistance machines. Some people also buy these machines and set them up at home. But they can cost a lot of money.
Working with free weights or weightlifting machines can be riskier8. If you are new to weight training, experts suggest working with a trainer or physical fitness9 specialist. This way you will learn the right way to move and avoid injury.
The Mayo Clinic has this warning for those wanting to start weight training. Its experts say you should talk with your doctor before beginning if you:
have a chronic health condition,
are older than age 40, and
have not been active recently.
If you are using weights, how much should you use? The right amount should tire muscles after 12 to 15 repetitions. You can slowly increase the amount as you get stronger.
Also listen to your body. If an exercise causes pain, stop the exercise. Experts say after the pain goes away you can try the exercise again, but with a lower weight.
No equipment strength training
You do not have to use special exercise equipment or go to a gym to do strength training. You can use your own body weight as resistance.
Exercises that use body weight as resistance are usually safer for beginners. They can also be easier on the body, and you can do them anywhere. Push-ups, plank10 poses12, jumping jacks13, side jumps and squats15 - or deep knee bends - are great exercises for making muscles stronger.
Warm up
The experts also suggest warming up before strength training. Cold muscles injure more easily than warm muscles. Walking for five to 10 minutes is enough to warm up your muscles.
And give your muscles time to recover. They say to rest one full day between exercising each specific muscle group.
Food plays a part too
And do not forget that some foods help you build muscle. The body breaks down protein into amino acids, which it uses to build muscle. So, experts say eat a little healthy protein with each meal -- foods such as chicken, salmon16, beans and yogurt.
And that's the Health & Lifestyle report for this week.
I'm Jonathan Evans.
And I'm Anna Matteo.
Words in This Story
benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect
menopause – n. the time in a woman's life when she stops menstruating
metabolism – n. the chemical processes by which a plant or an animal uses food and water to grow, to heal and to make energy
calorie – n. a unit of heat used to indicate the amount of energy that foods will produce in the human body
repetition – n. a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted
gym – n. sports and exercise taught as a subject in school
squat14 – n. A position in which your knees are bent17 and your body lowered so that you are close to your heels or sitting on your heels.
plank pose11 – n. A plank pose is a floor exercise. Put your hands (or forearms) and toes on the floor. This will support your body weight. Your elbows are directly under your shoulders. Your body is straight like a plank of wood. Make sure your head and neck are also straight as you look at the floor.
amino acid – n. biology: any one of many acids that occur naturally in living things and that include some which form proteins
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density
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| n.密集，密度，浓度 | |
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metabolism
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| n.新陈代谢 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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arthritis
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| n.关节炎 | |
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diabetes
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| n.糖尿病 | |
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riskier
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| 冒险的，危险的( risky的比较级 ) | |
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fitness
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| n.适合，适当，健康，健身 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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pose
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| vt.造成，陈述；vi.摆姿势，装腔作势；n.姿势 | |
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poses
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| 使摆姿势( pose的第三人称单数 )； 以…身份出现； 招摇； 炫耀 | |
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jacks
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| n.抓子游戏；千斤顶( jack的名词复数 )；（电）插孔；[电子学]插座；放弃 | |
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squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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squats
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| n.蹲坐，蹲姿( squat的名词复数 )；被擅自占用的建筑物v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的第三人称单数 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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