The squat is arguably one of the most beneficial exercises you can perform in the weight room. So often in conversation, the narrative around squats is geared solely toward aesthetic gains. However, squatting is a rudimentary part of human movement. Think about it: How often do we get up from a chair in one day? How often do we squat down to pick something up off of the ground? How often do we bend down to get in and out of the car?
The point is: we squat every single day, whether we are taking the time to be intentional with our form or not. If we want to live a life of quality well into our later years, we must squat properly and squat often. A proper squat not only strengthens our muscles, but it also fortifies the ligaments, tendons and bones. The result: longevity via movement.
To perform at a high level, you need to train your muscles to work together. Whether you’re preparing for a competition or just trying to increase your athleticism, functional exercises can help improve your sports performance.
Let’s look at a few exercises key to functional strength training and how they can help you reach a new level.
Building up the endurance to run a 10k or swim for miles doesn’t happen overnight. Endurance athletes push their bodies to the absolute max to perform for long periods without stopping. But as hard as they train, endurance athletes know the value of rest days. It’s important to give your body a break, allowing sore muscles to heal and grow back stronger.
There is a bit of confusion on what a rest day is and how many days off you should be taking. Rest days don’t require you to sit around all day, but you should avoid strenuous activity. As for duration, it depends on how you feel and the level of intensity you are training.
Testosterone plays a significant role in the health and well-being of men. For crucial processes like sperm production, sex drive, and bone mass development, the body needs testosterone. But as you age, your testosterone levels start to decrease.
If you’re 50 or older, you may have low testosterone. It’s pretty common among men starting at 50 years old. Whether you know you’re experiencing low T or are looking for a way to increase your levels naturally, continue reading to learn the benefits of testosterone for men over 50.
They say sore muscles are a sign that you’re doing it right at the gym. But let’s be honest, no one likes waking up to intensely sore muscles. Wondering if you can speed up muscle recovery, and what helps muscles recover faster?
While most muscle soreness resolves on its own after a few days, you probably won’t want to wait it out. Not only can it be uncomfortable, you likely want to get back to exercising. Let’s look at what causes soreness and how to speed up muscle recovery.