Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Bloglines - The Myths and Truths of Strength Training

Bloglines user paulmount@adelphia.net has sent this item to you, with the following personal message:

Here's some more truth to keep in mind as you continue your WF journey...

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The Myths and Truths of Strength Training

By Barbara Bourassa

True or false: as we age, our muscle mass declines, especially in our 30s, 40s, and 50s. True or false: strength training (whether it takes the form of free weights, resistance bands, or everyday activities) can help tone and preserve muscle. The answer to both statements is true, according to a new article by Sally Squires in The Washington Post. True or false: Strength training will dramatically increase your metabolism. False, according to the article, which says that if you add four pounds of muscle, you will burn about 50 extra calories per day. Other common myths (such as you'll need to eat more protein if you lift weights or you should use a supplement such as creatine to build muscle) simply aren't true, the article says.


posted by Paul at 3:12 PM

2 Comments:

Blogger Toby Leeson said...

The part about metabolism, I think, is misleading. It may be true that it does not increase your metabolism. But ST is work, and the more work you do, the more calories you burn. If you lift weights, with all else being equal, you will burn fat, and probaly lose weight too, at least at the start, until you learn how to lift to really put on muscle mass.

3:15 PM  
Blogger Paul said...

I agree with you in part; because it's the extra work you're doing that increases metabolism. But many people who do strength training are only working @30 minutes, a few times a week, and rarely to aerobic threshold. And they are resting between sets, etc.
The key is for people to realize that just putting on muscle mass will not boost metabolism that much: you've got to get frequent cardio work as well.

5:18 PM  

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