With all the buzz about the importance of exercise, I think most people understand that they need to exercise to be healthy. But for most people it is still a mystery what exercises they should do. Well, the answer may be simpler than you thought. Like most things in life, we need a balance. A good Miami personal trainer will tell you that balanced exercise includes both cardio, where your heart rate is increased to a target training level and strengthens the most important muscle in your body, your heart; and weight resistance, where you strengthen all the other muscles in your body. No doubt you have heard of the benefits of cardio exercises like jogging, walking, swimming, and bike riding. But you may not be as familiar with the benefits of weight resistance exercise. You may even think that lifting weights is just for serious body builders. However, medical research is continually discovering more and more benefits from weight resistance training for everyone. That's right, men, women, young, old, large, small, overweight, petite, everyone. Says this Miami Personal Trainer. So what are the benefits of weight resistance exercise? As a professional personal trainer in Miami I will tell you there are many, but among them are the following:

Reduce risk of heart disease, still America's number one killer
Stabilize blood sugar (a key to preventing or controlling Type 2 Diabetes)
Lessen risk of some types of cancer
Lower blood pressure
Reduce cholesterol levels
Increase bone density
Weight loss through metabolically active muscle cells burning fat
More energy
Improved appearance

That's just a partial list of the benefits. The key to achieving these benefits is metabolism. The majority of the active metabolic tissue in our bodies is in our muscles. Weight resistance exercise involving all the muscles in the body maximizes the body's ability to burn fat and produce energy. In fact, weight resistance exercise does this more effectively than cardio exercise does. Even when resting or sleeping, healthy, toned muscle tissue is very active and requires up to 45 calories per pound per day. Think of that. If you have toned muscles, you will be burning fat, even when you are asleep! On the other hand, when you are not maintaining or increasing muscle tissue, then you are losing it (muscle atrophy). That results in a reduction of your metabolic rate. With less muscle, your body requires lower energy, and food that should be used as energy is stored as fat. You store more fat and burn less, adding to your risks of disease. The reasons for engaging in a balanced program of cardiovascular and weight resistance exercises are compelling. After all, what is more important than your health? In fact, it is too important to leave the outcomes to chance. Before starting any exercise program be sure to talk to your doctor and get a physical if you haven't had one recently. Then seek the help of a fitness professional, a qualified Miami personal trainer, who will develop a program that is specifically designed for you, your current fitness level and your goals. You will be on your way to realizing the benefits of an active, healthy life.

Miami personal trainer explains: Why you need weight training