Adding resistance to your weight workout shows improvement and most people aim to increase their strength when they embark on an exercise program. This does not necessarily mean that they want to increase muscle size as it is not synonymous with strength gain. Gaining strength could merely mean that you can open that jar of peanut butter that you could not budge before. With a progressive resistance program, you will use dumbbells which will target specific muscles, but will also improve grip strength.
Adding extra weight to your program is important from the following points:
- Muscle Stimulation – the more stress the working muscle is placed under, the more fibres will be recruited to perform the work. The more muscle fibres recruited, the more the systems of the body will react to the external load. By stimulating a particular muscle such as the biceps, the stronger that muscle will become, enabling heavier loads to be lifted after a period of training.
- Prevent Osteoporosis – the more resistance training a muscle undergoes, more range of motion and movement will be required that will prevent or delay calcification of the bone. Improved range of movement will keep the joint and surrounding tissues mobile. Do not lift excessively heavy weights that will put unnecessary strain on the muscles as this will injure the muscle which could lead to the premature onset of osteoporosis.
- Increase Metabolism – the more muscle fibres recruited, the harder the body works. This results in the heart pumping more blood to the working muscles which leads to an increase in metabolism during work and recovery as the muscle must repair after being stressed.
- Challenge The Muscles – by increasing weight in a resistance training program, the muscles will not get used to specific load and they will be constantly challenged to lift heavier loads which increases overall strength. The muscles adapt to exercise and need to be taken to the next level.
- Improve Self Confidence – along with the physical gains of a progressive resistance program, there are mental and psychological benefits. With muscle and strength grow, comes a healthier self image and more self worth as you realise that your body is a wonderful machine capable performing and lifting loads beyond your expectations.
The Power Block dumbbell is the first compact and convenient quick change dumbbell that will increase along with your strength needs. You do not have to buy new dumbbells each time you get stronger because one set of Powerblock dumbbells can replace up to 37 pairs of traditional dumbbells.
Tags: Dumbbells, fitness, Power block, powerblock, strength
