Why Muscles are Better
March 20th 2007 17:19
The advantages of adding muscle to the body are manifold. That is why serious weight training is a better investment of time and effort than many other forms of exercise. Today I belabor the point by listing some of the advantages that skeletal muscle has for its owner.
The paradox of heavy cardio is that by reducing skeletal muscle running etc. reduce the body's demand for energy and sustenance on a long term basis. If the athlete discontinues the heavy aerobic exercise he/she is faced with depleted muscle mass which will not be reconstituted without concerted effort. When weight training is discontinued there is also a decline in muscle mass, but the residuum is considerable and continues to make caloric demands.
The presence of musculature on the skeletal frame has a very useful shock absorbing function. Several years ago I found this out the hard way. While riding a bicycle along the edge of a road I was struck in the rear by a car. I was more than glad that I had been lifting weights over the years. As I flew through the air with a bike attached to my feet, I didn't have time to think about it, but when we landed and my body mass cushioned the blow, I realized how lucky I had been. The muscles in my legs and hind end saved me from the skeletal effect of the car, I think, and from a broken pelvis at least and I was able to absorb the landing on my shoulders and arms without broken extremities. A broken hand was a small price for a bout with a car.
Many people feel trapped in their bodies. They have a body structure that is not culturally optimum and they feel uncomfortable about it. Yet, working with weights offers such a person an opportunity to perfect the structure he/she has. The toning and contouring to which serious weight training contributes has the capacity to bring marked improvement in the aesthetic appeal of anyone's body. The fact is that fit is a hit and anyone without serious medical limitations can work to perfect their fitness.
The advantages of muscle on the aging is something I have discussed before. My experience is that the value of weight training to general well being and health has gone up with the passing decades. I told a gym acquaintance recently that my training goals now are to celebrate 50,60,and 70 years of weight training. Such a prospect could never have entered my mind when I purchased a set of weights at 14. But first 30 and now 40 are now a reality and I feel the possibility that at 84 I can still be loading up the bar on the squat rack. Anyone can begin to train at any time and the effects will be considerable. Your servant, as always
Any questions about looking good with muscles?
The presence of musculature on the skeletal frame has a very useful shock absorbing function. Several years ago I found this out the hard way. While riding a bicycle along the edge of a road I was struck in the rear by a car. I was more than glad that I had been lifting weights over the years. As I flew through the air with a bike attached to my feet, I didn't have time to think about it, but when we landed and my body mass cushioned the blow, I realized how lucky I had been. The muscles in my legs and hind end saved me from the skeletal effect of the car, I think, and from a broken pelvis at least and I was able to absorb the landing on my shoulders and arms without broken extremities. A broken hand was a small price for a bout with a car.
Many people feel trapped in their bodies. They have a body structure that is not culturally optimum and they feel uncomfortable about it. Yet, working with weights offers such a person an opportunity to perfect the structure he/she has. The toning and contouring to which serious weight training contributes has the capacity to bring marked improvement in the aesthetic appeal of anyone's body. The fact is that fit is a hit and anyone without serious medical limitations can work to perfect their fitness.
The advantages of muscle on the aging is something I have discussed before. My experience is that the value of weight training to general well being and health has gone up with the passing decades. I told a gym acquaintance recently that my training goals now are to celebrate 50,60,and 70 years of weight training. Such a prospect could never have entered my mind when I purchased a set of weights at 14. But first 30 and now 40 are now a reality and I feel the possibility that at 84 I can still be loading up the bar on the squat rack. Anyone can begin to train at any time and the effects will be considerable. Your servant, as always
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