Technique
How important are the warm-up and cool-down sections of a workout?
Warming up is important as it prepares the body for the intensity of the workout. Blood flow to the working muscles increases, joints become fluid and heart rate increases. This switches on all the metabolic pathways, which assist in performing the exercise. Cooling down brings the heart rate back towards resting and as the muscles are stretced, they lengthen which prevents tightness the next day.
How often should I workout/lift weights?
It really depends on the intensity of the workout and the muscles that are worked. Ideally, the intensity would be such that 48 hours rest is required. Muscles grow when well rested. So, if you are training every day, choose different muscle groups, but allow for adequate rest.
If I lift weights, will I get bigger muscles?
This depends on a number of things! First, if you are a man, you have more chances of getting bigger muscles due to testosterone. However, you still have to train hard and eat well. If you are a woman, your muscles may increase, but not to the same degree as a man because testosterone levels are lower. For both men and women, weight training will improve body shape and allow the body to be more efficient at burning fat. Your muscle size may increase, however your fat levels will drop, thus allowing better definition. This extra definition may give the appearance of having bigger muscles.
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