by John Mckinsey

Created on: August 20, 2009   Last Updated: August 21, 2009

Are you seeing the results you really want from your workout routine? Maybe you've stopped seeing improvement. It's quite possible that you need to add weight training to your workout. Many people, women especially, are misinformed about weight lifting. Weight lifting is not just to build large muscles. And, including weight lifting in your routine will not necessarily cause huge muscle growth, but it will cause a great number of positive results including, weight loss, overall strength, lower risk of heart disease, improved flexibility and balance and much lower risks and effect of aging.

Cardio and dieting are excellent things to incorporate into a weight loss plan, but they will only get you so far and will only produce results to a certain extent. For example, if a person wants to lose 20 lbs and develops a workout routine based on running, cycling or other cardio exercises they will probably lose weight. However, if they were to add twenty minutes of light to moderate weight lifting after each cardio session, they will lose weight and build muscle. Although losing weight is the key goal, it is in everybody's best interest to gain some lean mass. Muscle tissue has been proven to burn calories up to four times faster than fat tissue. So, gaining a few pounds of muscle is more beneficial than just losing weight.

Furthermore, including weight lifting in a regular workout routine can increase the use of muscle groups and increase muscle size which will improve one's metabolism . This side effect is particularly helpful for most people because it helps maintain lower weight, lower resting heart weight and added energy for other activities.

An obvious benefit from weight training is increased strength. Weight training, when properly done, can increase overall strength in everyday activities. This can increase endurance when it comes to running, cycling, kickboxing or whatever other activities one can be involved in.

Recent studies show that people who include some weight lifting into their regular workout routines typically have stronger core muscles and better balance which makes them less prone to back injuries and related problems. Also, the extra stress placed on the bones and structure of the body causes stronger bones and less risk of osteoporosis.

Many weight training exercises can be done with little or no equipment. Push ups, sit ups, pull up and many other exercises have been incorporated by coaches and personal trainers to keep athletes and average Joes in peak shape and at an ideal weight.

Learn more about this author, John Mckinsey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.