With Reno’s snow and ice, I’ve spent lots of time in the gym lately. As I churn out miles on the treadmill, I watch the gym junkies pump iron below. What’s fascinating is they come in all shapes and sizes, and ages. Women working alone or together, with their girlfriend or their man. It’s an impressive sight.
Cathy’s strength challenge got me doing more planks and push-ups this December. Then my interview with Angie Miyashiro, who squats 200 pounds, got the wheels turning. Now these powerful girls at the gym are inspiring me to lift again.
My usual excuse is I don’t have time. I’m a distance runner, weights aren’t that important, are they? But my best year of running, my 40th year, was on the back of a regular weight routine and long miles. Then I get an e-newsletter from Masters Athlete, a cool new Australian website. In it Peter Reaburn, a Professor in exercise and sport science, lists “10 Reasons Why Masters Should Weight Train”.
Many I’ve read about before but they are still good reminders…such as avoiding muscle loss. We lose 4.8 to 7.0 pounds (2.2 to 3.2kg) of muscle each decade if we don’t strength train. That makes for a much weaker body. Weight training increases our metabolic rate so we burn more calories in our day. It also increases bone density, a big issue for us women. Check out Peter’s full article here.
I’m not big on New Year resolutions but strength training is on my “to do list” for 2010.
How about, “It makes you look good?” OK, function over form, I know, but weights give you shapely arms and shoulders and a tapered back. The upper body is an area that a lot of us women runners neglect. We have solid aerobically fit legs but our upper bodies can lack strength. Add some balance with weight lifting. There’s one book I particularly like: “Life Like A Man, Look Like A Goddess” by Lou Schuler. Check out the gorgeous woman on the cover!
Comment by Liz P. — January 9, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
You’re right it’s a great cover. Gives me some inspiration to lift weights. Look good, feel good!
Comment by Carmel Papworth-Barnum — January 10, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
Hello from Kris Waldon in Hawthorne. I couldn’t help but relate to much of what you posted about the gym. I don’t’ use free weights but as a new-comer find the Nautilus a no-brainer. I’m a green speed walker, using the treadmill and seis trails, running our dogs. My lower back and sciatica problems have greatly been reduced from working out the last 5 months. I am focused on improving core strength, gaining muscle and bone density. People watching at the gym is a blast, discretely as I can tell that it’s just not cool to make eye contact while somebody is huffing and puffing, (learning gym etiquette here!) I was referred to you, gratefully by Bret Simmons at his fantastic personal branding class. Can I get you on Twitter? ‘Love your writing, Kris
Comment by Kris Waldon — February 25, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Thanks Kris. I really enjoyed Brett’s class, he is having another on March 11th. Yes you get me on twitter and facebook, check out WomenRunningTogether’s home page for the links.
Glad you back is improving with exercise, it can be a crippling injury. I’m a big believer in core and strength work especially as we get older and lose our muscle mass.
I sneak in my people watching at the gym, starting to master the sideways glance. Not sure if you have a tattoo. I don’t has I’ve always been scared of needles! There is plenty of ink at the gym. Some are amazing and others makes me wonder. Each to their own. Off for a another workout!
Comment by Carmel Papworth-Barnum — February 26, 2010 @ 4:05 pm