When I ask people what type of exercise they do, I most commonly hear things like, “I run on the treadmill.”, or “I have an elliptical at home.”, or “I use an exercise bike.”
But when asked about resistance training, many people can’t remember the last time they picked up a weight.
There is nothing wrong with cardio work, but to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to exercise you need to work in some resistance training. That doesn’t mean that you need to be doing heavy deadlifts and squats every day, but you should be using some sort of dumbbells, barbells, cables, or resistance bands. Bands are the most economical and are versatile enough to build a full-body resistance workout around.
Resistance training strengthens not only your muscles, but your bones and connective tissue as well. It has been shown to prevent, and even reverse, osteoporosis. It’s a great confidence builder and helps you deal with the rigors of daily life with far greater ease.
Invest in a good set of resistance bands, find a YouTube video or DVD that resonates with you, and get to work building a stronger, healthier body.