1. Sustaining muscle tissue requires more energy than sustaining fat tissue, therefore the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn.
2. Muscles are what make your skeleton move and keep its proper form. If you have a weak muscle in one area of your body, the skeletal system will not be in balance, which can lead to pain and injury.
3. Stronger muscles allow for more power and better overall fitness.
4. Strength training gives you more energy.
There are some important things you need to know before you start strength training (sorry for all the lists):
1. Definitions:
Reps - The number of times you contract the muscle with an exercise. For example, if I do 10 biceps curls, then I performed 10 reps.
Sets - Groups of reps. Usually you perform 3 sets of an exercise with anywhere from 8-12 reps in each set.
Isometric Contraction - Contraction of a muscle without any change in range of motion. You can see this type of contraction in the isometric biceps curl video.
Concentric Contraction - A contraction where the muscle is actively shortening. Again, think of a simple biceps curl.
Eccentric Contraction - A contraction where the muscle is lengthening while there is tension on the muscle. You can see an eccentric contraction in the calf raises video. As Jonathan lowers down from his toe raise, his calf muscle (gastrocnemius) is still tense, but is lengthening.
2. You need to work out opposing muscle groups. If you focus on your hamstrings and not your quadriceps, then you will have tight, strong hamstrings which can lead to knee and back problems.
3. You need to work out your core. Your core muscles are basically any muscle group that supports the spine (abs, back, hip muscles, etc.)
4. You need to STRETCH after a good workout.
5. You need to learn and practice proper form. For instance, if you perform a squat and your knees go over your toes, or you squat so deep that your knee is less than 90 degrees, you can seriously damage your cartilage.
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