As a trainer, I often hear members say that they know that they should lift weights, but they don't want to "bulk up". Many often tell me that they really just want to lose the body fat so they stick to cardio. This is a fatal fitness error!

As you age, you lose about 2% of your muscle mass each year. By age 40 women typically lose 1/3 of a pound in muscle each year and gain at least that much in fat. Even men who run regularly can lose nearly 5 pounds of muscle in their upper body over 10 years. Strength training can prevent or reverse this muscle loss. Muscle burns more calories than fatty tissue, so building muscle will help you lose weight and keep it off. In fact, strength training revs up your metabolism by as much as 15%.

So hit the weight room and get the body you have always dreamed about. If you are unsure about how to get started, ask one of our fitness professionals or sign up for a complimentary session with a personal trainer.