We would love you to come work out at Peak. We are here to help you learn how to use your time efficiently and get the most bang for your buck while you are here, and to improve how you move so you can stay safe and avoid injuries. So come and try a class. Your first class is always free.

If you are not yet ready to join a gym, or you have some other legit reason to work out on your own such as travel, schedule conflict, exposed to a contagious ick, etc, then here are some things to keep in mind.

If all you have on hand is light weights, remember that lifting a light weight 1000 times is not strength training and won't help your bone density.

When you challenge yourself to pick up a heavy thing and said heavy thing is challenging enough that you really really wanna stop after 5-12 or so repetitions, and then, after a short rest of 30-60 seconds, you can agree to give that another go or two, this is where the change comes. By working hard like this, the muscles are forced to grow, and, in turn, the bones also need to step up to support the new demands being placed on them.

Male, female, young, old, this is a good thing.

On the flipside, if you can just go go go with the movement forever, you're not strength training but rather endurance training with weights. This won't cause the adaptions in your muscles and bones that are so often overlooked.

Strong bones means resilience as you age. We have all heard stories of someone breaking a hip and a very rapid doownward spiral ensues. Strong muscles and strong bones allow us to navigate the activities of daily living (ADL), something you want to do well for as long as you live.

This is healthspan. Healthspan is the length of time a person lives in good health, without chronic diseases or age-related disorders. It also supports the ability to perform daily activities.

This does not come for free: it is something you need to train for, so start now. Challenge your muscles and bones by picking up heavy things. Do 2-3 sets of 5-12 reps with a rest of 30-60 seconds. You should focus on movements that incorporate as many muscles as possible, so think squats and deadlifts over bicep curls.