By: Scott Williams

Want to get a whole lot more out of life?

 By undertaking a strength program you can help to combat diabetes, and it is a well known fact strength training improves glucose tolerance in people who have type II (adult onset) diabetes. Strength training combined with a sensible diet can level out glucose levels to the stage where a person with type II diabetes is no longer dependant on insulin.

 A combined weight training and cardiovascular program elevates your resting metabolic rate, which helps burn more calories at rest ( a good thing). The more muscle the body has the faster the metabolism works! Between the ages of 20 and 40 the average woman loses 3.6kg of muscle and gains 10kg of fat. Men between 20 and 80 lose up to a quarter of their muscle mass. Studies show, people doing a combined program can increase strength by 43% in the arms and shoulders and 22% increase in leg strength.

 Weight training also benefits people with arthritis as it gives a reduction in joint pain and fatigue and a big gain in strength. Recent studies conducted at Tufts University and The University of Nebraska, both show that strength training work caused significant declines in arthritis activity.

 Weight training develops muscle strength that supports the joints.

 WHAT YOU DON’T USE…. YOU’LL LOSE- as we get older our muscle and bone density decrease, weight training can turn all this around as it stimulates new tissue growth for both the muscles & bones ( a very good thing). On average people who lift weights and do regular cardiovascular exercise, have bones that are 46% more dense than our sedentary counterparts.

 Research shows that weight training causes fewer heart symptoms. It yields better coronary artery flow, greater muscle strength and less fatigue. It is scientifically proven that just by starting a weights program you can cut the risk of heart disease by up to 23%.

 Just by doing some basic weights/exercise, it can make simple tasks like carrying groceries, getting up & down or in and out of a car become much easier.

 By exercising regularly you will have more energy, sleep better, be more alert and become more active.

 Exercise doesn’t need to be complicated - it just needs to be regular. The following are some examples of how exercising can be made easier:

• - organise fellow staff members for lunch time activities - bootcamp classes, various sports
• - start a walking/running club at lunchtimes
• - participate in a workplace fitness program
• - join a local health club
• - hire a Personal Trainer
• - increase incidental exercise (ie. park the car further away, walk to work, take the stairs not the elevator)

 If you would like to organise a staff exercise program, or an exercise program for yourself, please do not hesitate to email me with your enquiry.