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Resistance Training: Your Key to a Healthier Life

While aerobic exercise has traditionally held the forefront in recommendations for physical activity… researchers are now finding that different methods of strength training prove to be equally if not more beneficial for sustaining an individuals health and longevity. 

Strength Training, which involves enhancing muscle strength through resistance against weight or force, such as gravity, was included in the 2010 Global Guidelines for Physical Activity in pursuit of improved health.Muscle-strengthening activities such as TRX ( Total Body Resistance Exercises )  were associated with almost a 20 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, lung cancer and all-cause mortality, says a recent New York Times article on the equal importance of strength training as opposed to Aerobic exercises.

Sports and physical activities through various mediums  have grown increasingly popular across all age groups in the recent few years. While they do a lot for the cardiovascular system — our heart and blood vessels, it is not common that in smaller sets, these exercises contribute to the overall muscle mass or strength. 

Because aging and inactivity tend to reduce muscle mass, resistance training is even more crucial for older adults as it helps slow the natural loss of muscle mass with age, says Daniel J. McDonough, a researcher at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and co-author of a large study that looked at the effect of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise on mortality.

When we enter our 30s, the gradual decline in muscle mass becomes a noticeable reality. With each passing decade, we witness a concerning 8 percent reduction in muscle mass, and this rate of decline only accelerates after we reach the age of 60. However, the consequences of muscle loss extend far beyond mere aesthetics. It profoundly impacts our overall health, contributing to limitations in mobility, compromised bone health, an increased susceptibility to various diseases, and even a potential shortening of our lifespan.

It's important to underscore the significance of resistance training, also known as strength training, in countering this age-related muscle loss. Engaging in regular resistance exercises not only helps retain and build muscle but also aids in fortifying bones. Furthermore, a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, particularly calcium and vitamin D, is paramount for maintaining strong bones. Overall, adopting a holistic approach to fitness, which includes resistance training and proper nutrition, becomes increasingly vital as we age, helping us preserve not only our muscles but also our skeletal integrity and overall well-being.

The good news is that you can slow down the effects of aging on your muscles and bones, just by doing two sessions of TRX training each week can help reverse the damage that happens to your cells as you get older, which leads to muscle loss and weaker bones.

TRX training is a great way to do this because it's a full-body workout. It uses your body weight and gravity to make your muscles work harder. This helps you build strength all over and makes your body work better. Plus, TRX exercises can be adjusted to fit different fitness levels, so almost anyone can do them.

In 2023, 2 years after the pandemic, people are adept in getting anything done anywhere, with ease. Once people know how to use the TRX, when trained by a professional TRX trainer, they can use the tool at home, in their own time and they can progress at their own pace. TRX suspension training is my preferred Resistance Training method. It provides world-class training for everyone, it’s simple, it can be done anywhere at any time and most of all it’s proven effective to have a great impact on people’s overall health.