Defining Your Goals
Your body will do what you train it to do. That's why it's important to define your goals and fi_)cus on those goals. He_ are
some fitness components that will help you define your goals and choose your fitness program.
MUSCLE STRENGTH is tile maximum f[_f'ce you carl exert
against resistance at oHe time. YOUr tnuscle strength coines
into play when you pick up a heavy bag of groceries or lift
a small child. It is developed when a localized muscle is
worked both positively (concentric) and negatively
(eccentric) at a resistance great enough to perfi)rm only five
to eight repetitions of the exemise befk)re the muscle f_lils.
Each set of repetitions is fk)llowed by a rest interval that
typically runs three times longer titan tile set. Later,
between exemise sessions, the muscle ovemompensates fk)r
the stress and usually increases in both strength and size.
MUSCLE ENDURANCE is tile ability to perfi)rm repeated
contractions. It comes into play when you cross-country ski
or work on your feet all day. Endurance training addresses
tile slow twitch, endurance muscle fibers, which depend on
oxygen fi)r energy. To develop nluscle endurance, use low
resistance and high repetitions -- about 15-20 repetitions
in each set, three sets to each exemise, working the muscle
only to fatigue.
MUSCLE POWER is tile cr)mbination of strength and speed
of tile muscular contraction. This is often misinterpreted as:
a) Being directly associated with certain skill or sport
and/or
b) Meaning that you itlUSt move fast.
Load is actually a more important factor titan speed when
attempting to improve power. When training to achieve
muscular power, pick a resistance that f_ltigues you in tile 3-
5 repetition range. When perfi)rming these reps, it is more
important to think of contracting the muscles/_ster rather
than attempting to move faster. Perfi)rming sport simulation
exemises usually results in a deterioration of ttle motor
pattern or skill. Tile biomechanically sound method of
improving power in your sport is to train fi)r power using
the correct joint movements, as described in this manual.
Then practice tile skill associated with your sport, learning
to apply this newly achieved power.
BODY COMPOSITION is tile ratio of fat weight (fat) to
lean weight (inuscles, bones and tissue). As you age, tile
ratio shifts. The fat weight increases and tile lean weight
decreases. Training fi)r muscle strength will generally
increase muscle size and aerobic conditioning will help burn
extra calories. Perfi)rming these two fi)rms of exemise, either
at dif][erent times or together, will c_ate the greatest changes
in body fat weight.
BALANCED STRENGTH and alignment is tile result of
equal strength developed in all parts of tile body. It conies
into play in your standing and sitting posture, and in your
ability to perfi)rm just about any activity safMy and
effectively. An over-development of the back will round tile
shoulders; weak or stretched abdominals can cause lower
back pain. You want a balance of muscle strength in front
and back. In addition, you need a balance of strength
between your middle, lower, and upper body.
FLEXIBILITY is ttle ability of a muscle or group of muscles
to move tile joint through a flfll range of motion. Flexibility
comes into play when you execute all overhand serve or
stretch fi)r tile top shelf in tile kitchen. It is a cooperative
movement of opposite muscle groups. When a muscle
contracts, its opposite muscle group must relax fi_)r tile
action to occur. Increased flexibility means an increased
range of motion, made possible by this simultaneous
contracting and relaxing. Good flexibility is important in
protecting tile body fronl ir0ury and can be achieved
through tile balanced strength training programs included
in this manual.
CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE is tile ability of tile
heart and lungs to supply oxygen and nutrients to
exemising muscles over an extended period of time. It
comes into play when you ,jog a mile or ride a bike. It is a
critical cc)mponent of overall fitness and health. Any
exemise progranl must be supplenlerlted with
cardiovascular training, such as rowing on tile Bowflex.
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