Striving hard to reach our career goals coupled with the accelerated dynamics of the ever-changing world scenario has left us with little time to take care of our body. Changes in lifestyle have given rise to obesity and early aging. The need for exercise in order to keep our body lean and fit to meet the present day challenges cannot be over-emphasized. A toned body can give many benefits, such as improved energy level, strength and in general keeping our body free of diseases. In the following paragraphs we shall investigate in details the salient features and benefits of body toning.
What is Body Toning?
The term toned implies low levels of fat in a body (leanness), a well-formed and shapely muscular structure. It does not necessarily mean bulky muscle. Body Toning basically means shedding off the fat accumulated under your skin and visceral fat due to inactivity or lifestyle changes and building up strong muscles. It is often said that tone is nothing but the perception of the hardened muscle to the touch. Toning of body muscles involve exercises that make muscles contract or expand travelling to their full range under resistance.
Toning of the body can be achieved by a combination of exercises and proper nutrition.
Benefits of Body Toning
Studies carried out by researchers have shown that a toned up body improves the health and thus helps to cope with stress and aging. Some of the benefits are listed below
Toning Improves Cardiovascular health
Body toning exercises, such as, strength training and aerobic exercises lowers the LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and triglycerides and increases the HDL (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels in the body. These exercises also help in controlling blood pressure.
Toning helps in weight loss
Metabolic rate decreases with age thus accumulating unused body fat in the belly, buttocks and other parts of the body. Accumulation of fat in the thighs and hips is a problem for many people. It is difficult to get rid of this fat merely through general exercises and dieting. Body toning exercises in combination with proper nutrition will help in shedding fat all over the body by building muscles and increasing the metabolic rate. Loss of body fat and weight by toning improves overall health. It results in better joints and the skeletal system. As such, body toning should be an essential component of all weight loss programs.
Toning Improves Mental health
Muscles are wired up to our nervous system through neuron that connects muscles or a group of muscles with our brain. Toned up muscles provide an efficient communication system with our brain. Stimulus from the brain to the muscles during toning exercises enhances neurological response. In effect it improves balance, coordination and mental health. Improvement in neural communication channel also reduces anxiety and sleeplessness.
Toning Helps in Building Stronger Bones
Our bones become fragile and the bone density reduces after the age of 40. In the extreme case osteoporosis sets in. in such cases even a small fall can cause fracture to the bones. Contrary to common perception, strong muscles help to bring strong bones. It has also been established during studies that the stress exerted on the bones during strength training exercises helps to strengthen the bones. This can prevent osteoporosis.
Muscle Toning Prevents injury
Strength training is a part of body toning. It involves stretching the muscles of our body against external resistance. This strengthens the muscle tendons and increases flexibility of the ligaments. Strong and flexible muscles prevent damage in case of injury.
Body Toning helps to build a better structure by strengthening the muscle tissues. Toning exercises can reverse the aging effect of muscles attached to the skeleton. It helps to build up the muscle mass and prevent loss of lean muscles during aging.
Toning Prevents Chronic diseases
Body toning exercises helps in increasing the metabolic rate. It has been observed that these exercises have helped to reduce HbA1c levels and insulin sensitivity. Hence, it is beneficial to persons with type2 diabetes. Improvements in muscular strength and flexibility also prevent arthritis, back pain and similar diseases related to weak skeletal muscles.
A toned up body boosts up energy level thus making a person confident to cope up with the challenges of his/her work schedule.
Exercises for Body Toning
It is never good to focus on a few muscles during toning. Proper body toning involves the entire muscle system so as to have a healthy and efficient muscle structure. Body toning exercises are designed to stimulate the muscles by forcing them to overcome external forces such as, own body weight or external weights etc. Aerobic exercises like Walking, running, jogging, treadmill and strength training or resistance training exercises like push ups, free weights, elastic bands, weight machines are used to tone up the body muscles.
Importance of Professional Trainer
Exercising at home has limited benefits. Those who exercise at home realize that it is extremely difficult to maintain a strict schedule due to work pressure or the effect of the social environment. The effects of the exercise begin to wear off very soon. As such, it is important that the exercises should be carried out under the watchful of a professional trainer.
Ido Fishman – Personalized Training
Ido Fishman is a modern fitness center located in London. Numerous satisfied customers have supported its claims of personalized training programs. The trainers at Ido Fishman assess the specific needs of a new customer and design a comprehensive program so that the customer can achieve their goal in the shortest possible time. The trainers of Ido Fishman mentor each customer so that they can handle the rigorous training schedule and motivate them to increase their effort. The training programs are tailor-made to match the client’s height, weight, eating habits and personal lifestyle. Ido Fishman has a wide range of up-to-date, best and the safest exercise equipment.
Conclusion:
To face the hardships associated with the fast pace of modern living it is essential that every person, whether young or aged should undergo body toning programs under the guidance of professional trainers.
