3.03 Resistance Training
Resistance training, also known as “strength training” or “weight lifting”, is an anaerobic exercise (does not use oxygen) that causes the muscles to contract against a specific resistance or weight. These exercises are usually done by relatively quick movements of specific muscle groups against a certain amount of weight.
The result of resistance training is a growth in your muscle size and thus overall muscle strength. Resistance training actually causes very small tears to the muscle cells which then repair themselves. During that process, they actually form new muscle fibers resulting in an increase in your muscle size. Increasing your muscle mass can have many benefits including:
- Increasing your basal metabolic rate (BMR)
- Reducing blood pressure
- Preventing age related muscles loss
- Reducing body fat percentage
- Increasing bone strength
- Increasing physique and appearance
Examples of resistance training exercises include:
- Bench press
- Dumbbell curls
- Squats
- Pull-ups
- Push-ups