Monday, December 22, 2008

The Anti Aging Exercise Regimen

By Marianna Pells

Doing just one kind of physical activity isn't going to have an effect on the aging process. Instead of resorting to solutions that are likely to end up futile, get yourself to do varying activities. Besides, this is a more enjoyable way to fight the signs of aging, preserve good health and continue being physically dynamic.

You won't be able to achieve anything if you're not going to get off the couch. Aging means not being able to do the things you like, whenever you want to. Incorporating strength, aerobic and flexibility training in your exercise program could just be your answer.

Strength Workout

When you do strength activities aging simply slows down. Strength training helps your bones and muscles grow stronger. Without exercise, you lose a great deal of your muscle tone. This means that your muscles won't be able to hold up your skeleton effectively. You will have recurring back pain and a deteriorating posture.

What's good about doing regular strength workouts is that your muscles become toned, skin tighter, arthritic conditions minimized and metabolic rate increase. Once your body has been conditioned to strength training, it is still able to burn fat even after you've finished working out. You can do a strength workout by weight training, resistance training (where you oppose forces), and isometric training (where you strengthen muscles without movement). The recommended amount of time to strength-train is 2-3 days per week.

If you're just exercising, isometric training is the best activity to start with, since it causes less tension. You're only required to flex your muscles repetitively, without really applying a range of movements.

Aerobic Training

Slowing down the progression of aging is easy with aerobic training. Because it has more to do with endurance than bursts of power, individuals from any age bracket can do this type of training. Anyone can run, brisk-walk, and do most other types of endurance training.

Aerobic training is also known as cardiovascular training because it aids in the healthy circulation of blood in the body. Healthy circulation helps bring sufficient amounts of oxygen to different parts of the body. It is responsible for your coordinating skills, responsive mechanisms and mental clarity. When blood circulation is weak, you may become easily faint, develop migraines and acquire severe problems like heart disease and dementia.

The advantages of doing an aerobic workout are better endurance, minimized mental and physical stress, and reduced blood pressure. It is recommended that at least 20 minutes of aerobic training be incorporated into your exercise program.

Flexibility Training

Flexibility training is an important part of any anti aging exercise plan. Stretching for example is always advised before doing cardiovascular or strength training. Doing flexibility training improves joint health as well as skeletal and muscular function so that you are able to perform different activities with maximum effectiveness.

Doing a flexibility workout minimizes the distress caused by joint conditions and gives way to better physical movement. Just 30 seconds of this type of workout a day enhances movement and flexibility.

Incorporating strength, aerobic and flexibility training into your anti aging exercise regimen can give you the benefit of having more speed, power, balance and agility to defy aging. - 15252

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