The Facts on Muscle (it's really not that scary after all)

Ok so I am pretty pumped from training on the weekend, got to see the new Les Mills stuff coming out as well as do a education session with the trainers. One of the things discussed was building muscle.

Ok so how many boys think that the only way they can get bulk is to lift heavy weights for short reps????
Well studies have shown that you can in fact lift lighter weight but just increase the reps and get the same results. Now the reason in this is FATIGUE. The idea is that you should get to the end of a session of working a particular muscle and be tiered but still be able to have correct form.

Another thing people believe is that they only need to do aerobic training in order to loose weight. In fact lifting some weights and training where you build muscle is in fact a great way to reduce fat. The reason is that building muscle means you burn fat even when you rest, as muscle needs energy from fat to survive!!!!! So no need to slog out and sweat your guts out running on a treadmill just talk to a trainer about working some muscles!

Another bonus of muscle is that it protects the joint. In fact the reason that people as they get older need to have things replaced, ie. hip knees etc is that they have lost muscle in these areas, which is something that happens as we get older, however if we practice to build and continue to look after our muscles we may in fact have better spine and peripheral joints as the muscle will help keep the stress off them!

Ok so now the last thing I will fill your head with is especially for the ladies that say they don't want to bulk up! Well guess what you wont bulk up doing weights as women do not generally produce enough testosterone to bulk up. However if your genetics are that your family has a list of fat bums or legs then your going to still have these the question is do you want a jelly bum or do you want a toned bum! Women build lean muscle and that lean muscle strips away the fat!

So now you know a little more about why muscle training is good for you and may I just add that as a Body Pump instructor I can say that this program is one of the best programs for both men and women to help strengthen, and shape your body. Plus the bonus is that in a one hour class you can work your whole body and not slog out one hour doing really heavy weights! So if you haven't tried Body Pump maybe you should.