You have heard it said that your age is merely a number and in many respects that is true, however when it comes to getting in shape it can play an important role in how. Many people use their age as an excuse not to get in shape or lead a healthy lifestyle including a decent workout regimen.
Age is not a sufficient excuse not to exercise and try to stay fit. When done correctly you can incorporate workouts, weight lifting and healthy diet in such a way that you remain healthy, fit and active for years and it does not matter how old you are when you start.
If you are interested in reshaping your body, becoming healthy and fit, losing weight and or increasing bone density weightlifting and bodybuilding are exactly what you are looking for. Besides everyone knows that people who are fit and trim have better self-esteem and generally feel better about life as a whole.
People who exercise also experience the release of endorphins from the brain, which helps, maintain a sense of happiness and well-being.
Okay, now that we have discovered some of the benefits let us talk about the reality of being 40 and trying to get into shape. You may have to change up a few things in the routines but you do not have to fall victim to a too old mentality.
As we get older, our muscles and joints are less limber and this means that adequate stretching and warm up prior to exercising is very important. A 15-minute time allotment that is devoted to necessary stretching and limbering up routines will benefit you by increasing flexibility, and decreasing the chance of muscle or joint sprain or damage. The more completely you stretch the better conditioned your muscles will become.
Next in line is a 15-minute cardiovascular workout. You can do this on an elliptical machine, stair stepper, treadmill or stationary bike. Do not approach this as a marathon, however you should get your heart rate sped up a bit and continue to build on the limbering you have just finished. This point of your routine is to get the blood flowing and put your body on notice that you are serious about getting some work done.
The next step should be to work out with light weights, if you are doing circuit training or a free weight routine, have a quick run through without the stress of heavy weights, and then follow this brief warm up by doing reps with the appropriate weights.
Many bodybuilders favor the pyramid system, which means you do more reps with less weight, and as you add weights, you will begin to decrease the number of reps that you do. This method of weightlifting has great success for those who want to add muscle and bulk to their bodies.
Concentrate on the proper form at all times, even if you have to cut back on the weight or the reps, having your form correct with each lift must be foremost in your mind. Not only does this maximize your results, it cuts down on the risk of injury.
Your session with weights should be kept to about 30-45 minutes and you will want to repeat your training at least four days every week. Once you have completed your weight training it is helpful to run another cardiovascular routine partly as a way to wind it all down but more so to strengthen your heart and lungs.
Age is not a sufficient excuse not to exercise and try to stay fit. When done correctly you can incorporate workouts, weight lifting and healthy diet in such a way that you remain healthy, fit and active for years and it does not matter how old you are when you start.
If you are interested in reshaping your body, becoming healthy and fit, losing weight and or increasing bone density weightlifting and bodybuilding are exactly what you are looking for. Besides everyone knows that people who are fit and trim have better self-esteem and generally feel better about life as a whole.
People who exercise also experience the release of endorphins from the brain, which helps, maintain a sense of happiness and well-being.
Okay, now that we have discovered some of the benefits let us talk about the reality of being 40 and trying to get into shape. You may have to change up a few things in the routines but you do not have to fall victim to a too old mentality.
As we get older, our muscles and joints are less limber and this means that adequate stretching and warm up prior to exercising is very important. A 15-minute time allotment that is devoted to necessary stretching and limbering up routines will benefit you by increasing flexibility, and decreasing the chance of muscle or joint sprain or damage. The more completely you stretch the better conditioned your muscles will become.
Next in line is a 15-minute cardiovascular workout. You can do this on an elliptical machine, stair stepper, treadmill or stationary bike. Do not approach this as a marathon, however you should get your heart rate sped up a bit and continue to build on the limbering you have just finished. This point of your routine is to get the blood flowing and put your body on notice that you are serious about getting some work done.
The next step should be to work out with light weights, if you are doing circuit training or a free weight routine, have a quick run through without the stress of heavy weights, and then follow this brief warm up by doing reps with the appropriate weights.
Many bodybuilders favor the pyramid system, which means you do more reps with less weight, and as you add weights, you will begin to decrease the number of reps that you do. This method of weightlifting has great success for those who want to add muscle and bulk to their bodies.
Concentrate on the proper form at all times, even if you have to cut back on the weight or the reps, having your form correct with each lift must be foremost in your mind. Not only does this maximize your results, it cuts down on the risk of injury.
Your session with weights should be kept to about 30-45 minutes and you will want to repeat your training at least four days every week. Once you have completed your weight training it is helpful to run another cardiovascular routine partly as a way to wind it all down but more so to strengthen your heart and lungs.
About the Author:
Get the #1 natural bodybuilding program, the Muscle Gain Truth No-Fail System and achieve the best results in a few weeks. Fitness Articles
