The 5 Canons Of Resistance Training

By Laura Turner

Trying to firm and tone? Looking for a bathing suit body? No problem!

If you’re resistance training program isn’t performing for you; there’s a solution. Get back to basics: give your routine a face lift by reviewing these 5 fitness canons.

Canon 1:

Always Exhibit Proper Posture The most important thing to remember when resistance training: proper form will make all the difference. Forget sets and reps, if it’s results you’re looking for and your form isn’t solid, you are asking for injury (not to mention an inferior workout).

Guarantee a shape-shift by using this technique: Stand in front of the mirror with feet shoulder width apart, eyes facing forward. Tuck you hips under and engage your abdominals – this will protect your spine and lower back and place your body in the safety zone.

Use this technique when performing a lift from a sitting position, as well. Make a mental picture; train your mind to notice if you are out of alignment by recognizing how this protective, invisible girdle feels around your torso. Soon, you will find your body naturally conforming to this posture.

Canon 2:

Always Be Aware of Your Breath When performing a lift, always be aware of your breathing. This is especially important if you have considerations with your heart and blood pressure. If you hold your breath during resistance training you could be placing a dangerous amount of pressure on your heart.

Here’s a technique to help you breathe properly during a lift: While engaging the lift: inhale through your nose. Continue to take in this long deep breath until you’ve reached capacity. Then, quickly exhale through the mouth on your exertion. Over time your breathing pattern will become rhythmic.

Canon 3:

Know The Difference Between Precision and Momentum It’s often been said: 3 repetitions performed with precision will net greater results than 20 repetitions performed with momentum. This statement demonstrates the difference in the two: Yes, you’ll need to challenge yourself and push your body’s limits, but swinging weights and using momentum not only looks sloppy, but begets equal results. The answer: A proper lift with a sensible weight will create definition and a sleek beautiful body.

Canon 4:

Be Aware of Lifting To Heavy Canon 4 is a natural extension of the previous principle. Remember: it’s important to make strength gains during resistance training (and this will happen naturally) however, if you are forcing the lift, you are using a weight that is too heavy.

Here’s the test: After a workout, you may experience some slight soreness in the muscle. However, if this soreness lasts beyond 48 hours, it may be a sign that you are lifting too heavy. As a rule: always aim to warm up and cool down, before and after your workout session.

Canon 5: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate The body is made of 60% - 70% water, therefore, it is important to hydrate the body before, during and after exercise as the increased exertion accelerates the rate of water loss. A rule of thumb is to drink at least an 8oz glass of water before during and after you workout. This will keep the body hydrated. It will also prevent dehydration and undue stress on your kidneys.

The Secret Canon: Something else to keep in mind for a safe, effective workout: obtain proper footwear. This should not be taken lightly. Proper footwear will help protect your feet, back and joints from receiving the majority of impact. As a rule you should take a constant inventory of your feet, replacing your training shoes 2-3 times per year (depending on use). You will know when it’s time if they’ve broken down or feel loose and sloppy.

Above all: Listen to you body! Be aware of what is trying to tell you. It’s my guess, however, if you aim your awareness toward these canons of resistance training; your body will reward you with a strong, shapely, and injury free body - just in time for summer.

About The Author:

Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness!

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You may want to lose weight to fit in your size 8 dress, while your dad has to drop a few pounds to help control his diabetes. The reasons may differ from person to person, but a common goal for most of us at some time in our lives centers around losing weight.

Regardless of how much total weight you want to lose, you can start with a small goal, like losing just 10 pounds. To reach this ultimate goal, you need to design a plan before you pursue weight loss.

First of all, when designing a plan, keep in mind your unique situation. For example, consider how much free time you have to spend on exercising. Can you spare 15 minutes a day or an hour on weekends? Also think about what kind of exercises work for you. Would you go to the gym or go roller skating in the park? Knowing your preferences helps you form a plan that you can stick with.

The two key components of your plan consist of better eating habits and regular exercise. The best plan strikes the right balance for your lifestyle, so your plan can be different from someone else. Let’s say you binge on cheesecake and you want to try playing soccer. On the other hand, your friend doesn’t care for any dessert or for sports, except to watch games. Therefore, your friend’s plan can focus primarily on diet, while your plan requires plenty of outdoor exercising and less cheesecake.

Changing old eating habits, like overeating cheesecake, involves a struggle. This change gets easier when you try new, healthy dishes. Have you tried South Asian cuisine, like lentil or spinach curry? Preparing exotic dishes requires more work: you find recipes, buy ingredients and cook.

To make the job easier, list each step separately in your plan. For instance, locate a recipe on Sunday and prepare another recipe on that day. Breaking down the tasks makes the plan more effective by giving you small, easy-to-handle steps. Accomplishing the steps boosts your self-confidence and pushes you forward.

Next, focus on the exercise position of your plan. Once again, breaking down your goal into small steps makes the plan easier to use. Would you rather exercise 7 hours a week, or 1 hour a day? Then, a plan to go bike-riding for one half hour and running for the second half hour sounds better than “1 hour.” Writing down specific exercises tells you exactly when to do which activity.

A detailed plan encourages you to commit to losing 10 pounds. As a result, you can avoid a common weight loss problem- quitting a diet before you reach your goal. Why would you want to fail, instead of succeeding at losing 10 pounds? Success in weight loss can give you increased confidence, which can spread to other areas of your life.

About The Author:

There's more free information on how to lose 10 pounds, like this article, waiting for you at: www.Lose10poundsQuickly.com

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