Weights for Women

You can buy this shirt at Zazzle.com.

Weight-lifting is an essential part of working out, especially as we age. The article "9 Reasons Women Should Lift Weights" by Jenna Bergen from Prevention.com breaks down the reasons this is necessary for all women. Cardio and flexibility are great but they aren't enough; strength training is a must.

I pulled together a few exercise routines to use, some of which I do and some of which I want to try out. Mix them in with what you already do or if working out isn't your thing, maybe these are an easy way to start.

• Ballet Boot Camp: Barre Fitness: Based on dancer's workouts, uses light dumbbells
• Fat-Burning Workout: Uses light dumbbells, body weight, and a Swiss ball
• Simple Moves with 10 Minute Video: Uses dumbbells
• Strength Training Yoga Workout - 15 Minute Video: Uses yoga mat and dumbbells
• Create the Perfect Workout for You: Shape Magazine will help you build your own workout.

Fitness Rules to Break

Summer is the season of fitness. For most of us, it takes more than a few weeks to get a "beach body" but we sure do see a ton of health articles and posts specifically during the summer. Here is one I like: 7 Fitness Rules You Should Break posted on Yahoo Health by Lisa Collier Cool. The most interesting parts are not the subheadings so be sure to read the small print. For example, I have heard before that completing a dynamic pre-workout is better for you than just stretching (sub-heading info) but I didn't know that static stretching actually causes more injuries (small print). Enjoy.