The old school of thought for kids lifting weights was that it should be off limits, since it was an injury risk. However, recent research counters this long-held thought process, saying that school-age children and adolescents can enjoy the benefits of strength training.

Experts say that the benefits of decreased body fat, increased bone density, and improved sports performance with limiting injury risk in those sports all generally outweighed any risks. And, it’s not just about lifting weights. Kids can do strength training using exercise machines, elastic bands or body resistance.

“Since resistance training in children and adolescents is known to be safe and to be associated with several health benefits, children and adolescents should be generally encouraged to participate in a resistance-training program,” said Michael Behringer from the German Sport University Cologne.
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One of the first steps to getting into shape is setting up a resistance training program to go alongside your cardiovascular program. Resistance training is defined as a specialized method of training that improves and increases muscular endurance. Machine weights, cables, free weights, and resistance bands are among the few specialized types of training.

• Machine weights are a great way to start due to the controlled movements of the machine. All you really need to worry about is how much weight and how many repetitions.

• Cables are a little bit tougher than machine weights because your movements are not controlled, thus allowing the body to be susceptible to injury if not performed correctly. Cables offer hundreds upon hundreds of different exercises for every muscle group of the body. I use cables for a huge portion of my personal workouts as well.
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As I was walking to work the other morning, a lady with ankle weights and dumbbells in her hands power-walked right on by me.

First off, this added resistance during aerobic activity strains the joints and can cause injury to the ligaments and tendons. Secondly, it just silly.

So, if you are guilty of this, please do your joints and your body a favor by hitting regular non-weight/resistance bearing cardio followed up by your weight training.
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If you had to think of the single best example of what the epitome is of exercise as a way to longevity, it would have to be Jack LaLanne. I can’t recall why, but his name came up in a conversation not too long ago, and I was taken aback by the fact that the man is still alive and kicking… at 95!

And Jack isn’t just surviving, he looks as vital as when he was a young whipper snapper in his 70s.

So what’s the secret? There may not be one simple answer. To most people in the last few decades of his life, they know him for his juicer infomercials. But, LaLanne originally gained recognition as a successful bodybuilder. He owes his vitality to the power of strength training.
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UPDATE: This giveaway has ended.

Congrats to @NicoleGSimonds, winner of the pilates prize pack, and @lauriewrites, winner of the resistance cables.

It’s time for BlogHer! This annual conference brings together women from every corner of the blogosphere to talk about how to do it better, how to reach their audiences and connect with fellow female bloggers.

Our Chief Mom Carmen Staicer is attending BlogHer and we want you to get to know her! You’ll have your chance Thursday morning at the BlogHer 5k Fun Run event (where participants will receive a DietsInReview.com grocery tote!). She’s also going to be there all week, and if you meet Carmen, then you’re eligible to win one of two fitness prize packs!

All you have to do is Tweet this message: @dietsinreview I met chief mom Carmen Staicer at #BlogHer09 and want to win one of two fitness prize packs! http://bit.ly/GOYhl
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