Is your knee bothering you? Have you been performing knee extension exercises lately? This is the machine that you sit on with knees bent over the edge and the pad is on your shin. Then you straighten both legs to strengthen the thigh (quadriceps ) muscles. Unfortunately, this exercise is overused and it creates grinding under the knee cap. So if you are doing this exercise stop, you are better off doing a modified leg press.

Besides the obvious benefit of improved strength, there are multiple reasons to add strength or resistance training to your workout. One primary benefit is preventing injuries. Improving strength will help your balance which can help prevent injuries, and if you do get injured the stronger you are can help reduce the severity of injury. Another reason to add strength training to your program is to lose weight. When it comes to losing weight most people think aerobic exercise like running. However, increasing your strength also increases your muscle mass which helps burn more calories. Along with other benefits, losing weight can help reduce injuries. So go for it- pump some iron and reap the benefits!

Researched published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk for fractures among women aged 50-70.

There are multiple benefits to strength training, but did you know it could help arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, back pain, weigth loss and depression? In a recent study at Tufts University they found that strength training eased the pain of osteoarthritis as much as or more than medication. Watch for more tips on benefits of strength training.

Did you know that individuals with more muscle mass have a higher metabolic rate? Our muscles use calories, while fat tissue uses very little energy. Strength training can provide up to a 15% increase in metabolic rate, which is helpful for weight loss and weight control