Weight training for raqs dancers? - Page 7

sedoniaraqs · 07-10-2008, 04:21 AM

This is just a general comment, but I think weight training is important for everyone. It is probably the closest thing to the fountain of youth there is. As we get older, we tend to lose muscle mass. This applies to everyone, but especially women. Progressive resistance strength training can reverse this loss, even in 80 or 90 yr olds.

Belly dancing alone is not enough to undo this tendency to lose muscle mass.

Also, muscle burns more calories than fat, so increasing muscle mass = eating more food.

adiemus · 07-10-2008, 06:56 AM

In terms of osteoporosis prevention, it's better to continue to do walking - weight training doesn't protect against bone density loss, which is the major cause of fractures in the elderly (well, women of menopausal age).
Tai Chi has been shown to be one of the best forms of exercise to prevent falls and maintain ROM and increase bone density.
Not sure about resistance training for me - I really do not like weights!

jenc · 07-10-2008, 07:56 AM

actually weight bearing exercise is necessary for preventing osteoporosis - this includes walking and dancing because we carry our own body weight - but would also include weights - especially to benefit the arm muscles - although I only dance for exercise it has just occured i could maybe work on the bingo wings and benefit arm bones as well

Jen

da Sage · 07-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiemus

In terms of osteoporosis prevention, it's better to continue to do walking - weight training doesn't protect against bone density loss, which is the major cause of fractures in the elderly (well, women of menopausal age).
Tai Chi has been shown to be one of the best forms of exercise to prevent falls and maintain ROM and increase bone density.
Not sure about resistance training for me - I really do not like weights!

Weight training is better at maintaining/increasing bone density than walking, and (assuming you have a well-rounded program), it increases bone density in more areas than walking.

My mom does the Strong Women Stay Young workout. The studies quoted in that book are pretty convincing arguments for the importance of weight training as you get older. We like that it uses ankle weights and hand weights, as standard gym equipment doesn't always fit us.

Amazon.com: Strong Women Stay Young (Revised Edition): Miriam Nelson, Sarah Wernick: Books

I didn't know that Tai Chi was good at promoting balance. That's pretty cool!

Ankebuzz · 07-10-2008, 01:40 PM

Oooo, I just love having a relaxed workout at the gym spread over an hour and a half, just working with each part of my body with weights. Feels awesome!

adiemus · 07-11-2008, 05:53 AM

Can you and I get a brain infusion? I just loathe that gym thing! But I do get the same buzz when I've done a really good full dance workout!

jenc · 07-11-2008, 07:40 AM

I too prefer dancing............ and I suppose carrying home the shopping will do instead of weights

adiemus · 07-11-2008, 10:09 PM

especially if it's therapeutic shoe or costume shopping!

Ankebuzz · 07-14-2008, 02:55 PM

Hehehe, the funny thing is I really don't naturally enjoy cardio... I really have to love an activity to do it til I'm out of breath

...guess what, I dance!!

Sara · 07-20-2008, 08:57 AM

I love going to the gym! I really do. Tek my ipod, crank it up a lot, and then just go for it to your fav tunes. Got ma mum to come n all and she well loves it

I prefere cardio especially the cross trainer, but then weights can be fun too. I pretend that I'm being watched by a whole bunch of people and it kinda keeps me going so I don't just give up

07-10-2008, 06:56 AM	#62 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	In terms of osteoporosis prevention, it's better to continue to do walking - weight training doesn't protect against bone density loss, which is the major cause of fractures in the elderly (well, women of menopausal age). Tai Chi has been shown to be one of the best forms of exercise to prevent falls and maintain ROM and increase bone density. Not sure about resistance training for me - I really do not like weights! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

07-10-2008, 01:40 PM	#65 (permalink)
Ankebuzz Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: I live in Johannesburg in South Africa Posts: 44	Oooo, I just love having a relaxed workout at the gym spread over an hour and a half, just working with each part of my body with weights. Feels awesome! __________________ Ankebuzzzzzzzzzz

07-11-2008, 05:53 AM	#66 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	Can you and I get a brain infusion? I just loathe that gym thing! But I do get the same buzz when I've done a really good full dance workout! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

07-11-2008, 10:09 PM	#68 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	especially if it's therapeutic shoe or costume shopping! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

07-14-2008, 02:55 PM	#69 (permalink)
Ankebuzz Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: I live in Johannesburg in South Africa Posts: 44	Hehehe, the funny thing is I really don't naturally enjoy cardio... I really have to love an activity to do it til I'm out of breath ...guess what, I dance!! __________________ Ankebuzzzzzzzzzz

07-10-2008, 04:21 AM	#61 (permalink)
sedoniaraqs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cultural wasteland of the midwestern US Posts: 574	This is just a general comment, but I think weight training is important for everyone. It is probably the closest thing to the fountain of youth there is. As we get older, we tend to lose muscle mass. This applies to everyone, but especially women. Progressive resistance strength training can reverse this loss, even in 80 or 90 yr olds. Belly dancing alone is not enough to undo this tendency to lose muscle mass. Also, muscle burns more calories than fat, so increasing muscle mass = eating more food.

07-10-2008, 07:56 AM	#63 (permalink)
jenc V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colchester UK Posts: 1,042	actually weight bearing exercise is necessary for preventing osteoporosis - this includes walking and dancing because we carry our own body weight - but would also include weights - especially to benefit the arm muscles - although I only dance for exercise it has just occured i could maybe work on the bingo wings and benefit arm bones as well Jen

07-11-2008, 07:40 AM	#67 (permalink)
jenc V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colchester UK Posts: 1,042	I too prefer dancing............ and I suppose carrying home the shopping will do instead of weights

07-20-2008, 08:57 AM	#70 (permalink)
Sara V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wales/Yorkshire Posts: 1,160	I love going to the gym! I really do. Tek my ipod, crank it up a lot, and then just go for it to your fav tunes. Got ma mum to come n all and she well loves it I prefere cardio especially the cross trainer, but then weights can be fun too. I pretend that I'm being watched by a whole bunch of people and it kinda keeps me going so I don't just give up __________________ With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, now shake your bum.... :P