muscles Archives - Maree Spring

April 15, 2015 by Maree

We all want to look more toned

THE POWER OF STRENGTH TRAINING

Some think cardio is the answer to keeping themselves fit and in shape and that lifting weights is just for boys. WRONG!

Strength training has many benefits. When you introduce it into your exercise routine you will see and feel the difference by losing weight, gaining lean muscle and toning and sculpting your body.

Some of the benefits:

YOU WILL LOSE BODY FAT The more lean muscle your body has, the more calories it burns.

YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY STRONGER You can expect a substantial increase in your strength so everyday activities become easier, from carrying the groceries to climbing stairs and lifting heavy objects.

YOU WILL HELP PREVENT INJURY The stronger we are the less chance of injury. Lifting weights strengthens your muscles and tendons. This is important as we get older because strengthening muscles around our joints is one of the best ways to prevent and recover from injury.

YOU WILL REDUCE HEALTH RISKS Weight training can improve the way the body processes sugar which can only be a good thing!

YOU WILL LOOK MORE TONED Strength training will improve your physical appearance by adding lean muscle more effectively than any other form of exercise.

SEE ME FOR YOUR STRENGTH TRAINING WORKOUTS

February 26, 2015 by Maree

Muscle Woman

Why do I train? Because muscles are strength! Connecting with your muscles and understanding what muscles do what, is a part of being conscious and awake to your body. Muscles can be flexible. Stretching your body helps you walk more freely and stand taller. Muscles are your transportation system! Did you know that higher levels of muscle strength are also associated with lower risk of heart disease and chronic diseases. Even right now if your muscles feel weak, you can become strong. You can have arms that feel like power tools. You just have to start moving which is exactly what your muscles were designed to do.

You have about 650 skeletal muscles and they are the reason you can digest your food, pick things up and put them down and shake your head. Think about your body, it can reach up and down, back and forth, around and around. How amazing, especially when you consider all the teamwork that goes into making your body operate optimally. Muscles are pretty simple, all they do is contract and relax.

So lets get to know some of these glorious muscles:

ARMS AND SHOULDERS

Biceps: Flex your arm and squeeze your fist and there it is, your biceps. Every time you pick up a shopping bag you are using your biceps.

Deltoids: Put your right hand on your left shoulder. That’s your deltoid, a large muscles that helps you lift your arm and move it away from your body so you can do things like hail a taxi.

Rotator Cuff: The deltoid works with the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint and work together to stabilize the socket so it can rotate with the joint. This is a commonly injured muscle especially for tennis players who are consistently rotating their arms.

Trapezius: Shrug your shoulders. That’s your trapezius. It’s a big muscle covering your neck, upper back and shoulders. Because it’s so large and close to the surface, it sometimes takes over when other muscles should be working. In our modern life if we’re hunched over computers and steering wheels all day, it’s easy for the trapezius to get really sore and tight.

More glorious muscles to come….