May 12, 2007
Topic:
Gaining Health Through Sports
Today were going to discuss, in my opinion, one of the most underrated and most effective method for starting an exercise program and that’s group training. We’ll go over some pros and cons of the most popular group training classes so people can pick which one is right for them.
Spin- We talked about spin a little last week and how effective a calorie burner it was. It is also great for someone who wants an intense exercise without the high impact. One of the drawbacks of spin is that many find it very uncomfortable to sit on a bicycle seat for long periods. A recent study also suggests that elite cyclist had lower bone density when compared to runners and other athletes. So, while selecting a low-impact exercise may be gentler on your joints, you also sacrifice some of the bone density.
Yoga/Pilates- This is one of the fastest growing fitness classes in America. It’s a great way to increase range of motion and blood flow in the muscles. The drawback is that muscle gains will be minimal. Although putting yourself through tough positions can build muscle and strength in the beginning, soon your body will adapt and you will have to add external resistance. Many top notch Pilates instructors understand this and are now including thera-bands in their advanced classes.
Boxing/Kickboxing- This style of training became huge in the late 90’s when Billy Blanks hit the scene. It has leveled off a bit but I believe it’s one of the best forms of training. Boxers have, for many years now, been considered some of the all around, best conditioned athletes in the world. Also, hitting a heavy bag is very similar to lifting weights. It can build bone density and muscle. The drawback to this is that it is considered high impact so those with joint issues might want to proceed with caution.
Question from viewers:
Blaze,
What is the best age for a child to start weight lifting?
Proper weight training has been shown to be very safe and beneficial for children. Kids play really hard by running and jumping therefore making weight bearing activity a very natural and expected part of growing up. Weights can strengthen bones and tendons in children therefore reducing injury. Unfortunately, hypertrophy (muscle growth) typically is very slow to develop in children no matter how active they are. Testosterone is needed for muscle growth to be stimulated so kids need to understand that you will have to be patient and get a little older before those muscles start bulging.
Steve,
My posture is horrible. I hunch over really bad. Are there any exercises to help straighten me out?
Yes! An exercise called the prone cobra which Kyle will demonstrate.
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