Wave Health & Fitness is Seaport’s full-service health club. Whether you’re looking to take a dip in our newly renovated pool or channel your inner Schwarzenegger by pumping some iron, Wave has it all. Since 2007, Fitness Manager Mariama Jordan has been responsible for the sculpted and toned results coming out of this state of the art facility. We sat down with Mariama to investigate how to jumpstart a good health routine, and she stressed the importance of strength training. “It’s beneficial to everyone, no matter your age, gender, or fitness level. It’s never too late to get started,” she says. Herewith, Mariama’s strength tips for fall:
• Use resistance and bodyweight: Your own bodyweight can be the most effective tool for strength training: think push-ups, planks, squats or lunges! Once you have the fundamentals down with proper form, you can add resistance to build muscle by using free weights, machines, and other weighted tools.
• Make your muscle do the work: No swinging! Do not use momentum to lift the weights. You activate your muscles more if you use control for the entire range of motion from the lift to the lower.
• Form is key: Use good posture and your core when lifting weights. Think of standing tall with your chest proud and abs tight! If you feel as though you need help with your form, it’s a great idea to hire a personal trainer for a few sessions to ensure your form is correct. This will also help keep you from getting injured.
• Listen to your body: Work your muscle to fatigue, but do not work through pain. As a beginner, pick a weight that allows you to process 12 repetitions. The muscle should feel tired but not in pain by the 10th repetition.