Strength Training

Pumping dumb bells is a form of strength training, however its not everything. Strength training isnt going to make you look like Arnold Schwarzeneggar overnight, however it will help you achieve weight loss and a more toned body.

How to do strength training is up to you. However there are 2 widely accepted methods which can be done without lengthy training.

• Circuit Training
• Weight Training
  

Circuit training is what you get when you cross weight training with a demanding cardio routine. Its also a great time saver as its about moving from one exercise to the next with only a small break in between.

Swapping exercises with a small break in between will improve your cardiovascular fitness. Combine that with the weights and you are doing strength training at the same time.

So the upside to this style of training is that you can squeeze a decent workout into a short time frame. The downsides to this form of exercise is that its more cardiovascular than strength training as the weights used are relatively light.

The ideal amount of time to do this is completely subjective. Although 30-60 minutes 2-3 times a week would be good aim.

Weight training is not just for body builders. Anyone who wants to be truly fit should weight train as it helps to give you a toned, more sculpted look. How far you go with it is up to you.

You can weight train using either machines or free weights. Free weights include dumb bells, disks and bars which weights can be slid onto. You can use the equipment to strengthen and reshape your body or even just use your own body mass for exercises like press ups, chin ups etc.

The pros of this type of training is that it makes you stronger by increasing muscle and bone mass. It is also the best way to add shape to your body.

There are no real downsides to weight lifting unless you are doing it incorrectly. Some instruction is a definite must.

If you are just out to get stronger, generally 20 - 30 minutes twice a week will be enough. To really change the shape of your body much more time will be required.