HISTORY OF WEIGHT TRAINING

Hippocrates explained the principle behind weight training when he wrote "that which is used develops, and that which is not used wastes away." Progressive resistance training dates back at least to Ancient Greece , when legend has it that wrestler Milo of Croton trained by carrying a newborn calf on his back every day until it was fully grown. Another Greek, the physician Galen , described strength training exercises using the halteres (an early form of dumbbell ) in the 2nd century. 

Another early device was the Indian club , which came from ancient Persia where it was called the "meels." It subsequently became popular during the 19th century, and has recently made a comeback in the form of the clubbell.  The dumbbell was joined by the barbell in the latter half of the 19th century.

Early barbells had hollow globes that could be filled with sand or lead shot , but by the end of the century these were replaced by the plate-loading barbell commonly used today. [1]  The 1960s saw the gradual introduction of exercise machines into the still-rare strength training gyms of the time. Weight training became increasingly popular in the 1980s, following the release of the bodybuilding movie Pumping Iron and the subsequent popularity of Arnold Schwarzenegger . Since the late 1990s increasing numbers of women have taken up weight training, influenced by programs like Body for Life ; currently nearly one in five U.S. women engages in weight training on a regular basis.  Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles . It uses the force of gravity (in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks) to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction .

Weight training uses a variety of specialised equipment to target specific muscle groups and types of movement.  Weight training differs from bodybuilding , weightlifting , and powerlifting , which are sports rather than forms of exercise.   Weight trainers commonly divide the body's individual muscles into ten major muscle groups. These do not include the hip , neck and forearm muscles, which are rarely trained in isolation. The twenty most common exercises for these muscle groups are described below.   The large muscles of the lower body are normally trained before the smaller muscles of the upper body, because these exercises require more mental and physical energy. The core muscles of the torso are trained before the shoulder and arm muscles that assist them. Exercises often alternate between "pushing" and "pulling" movements to allow their specific supporting muscles time to recover. The stabilising muscles in the waist should be trained last.

Personal Training and Rates

Melanie Stuart, MS, RD :  Life can be full of challenges, but if you are healthy, you can overcome anything and live every minute to the fullest!  I became a Registered Dietitian over 12 years ago because a healthy diet is the foundation to good health and I want to help people feel better so they can live stronger.  In the process, I lost over 40 pounds.  I became a Personal Trainer and group exercise instructor because I love exercise and want to motivate others to get moving so they can keep going.  Anything is possible if you work hard and apply basic fundamentals to your lifestyle.  As Lance Armstrong would say:  "Live Strong"  I try to apply this philosophy to my life every day as a mother of two, a Navy wife, and a trainer.

Jodi Griffin .  Personal Trainer .  I have been personal training for over seven years.  In addition to personal training, I enjoy competing in bodybuilding and figure competitions.  These experiences have helped me to discover the mental and physical challenge of peak performance.  In my first competition, I took 3 rd place in Miss Natural Michigan in bodybuilding and recently, I place 3 rd in my first figure contest.  As a trainer, I have enjoyed working with clients of all ages from 10 to 86.  I am ISSA certified for personal training.  I hold additional certifications in Healthy Moms and Older Adults. 

Jason Hutson .  Personal Trainer .  I have worked at World Fitness for over three years and recently made a decision to dedicate myself to a full-time personal training career.   I have always been athletic through school and enjoyed working at the front desk but was disturbed by the lack of success I saw in many of our members.  Members often wanted my advice on exercise routines but I did not feel qualified to assist them.  Two years ago, I became certified as a Personal Trainer through NETA.  I enjoy sharing my knowledge of health and fitness for optimal performance and attitude.  Personal training is very rewarding to me both personally and professionally. I love challenging my clients to reach their ultimate goals through consistent cardiovascular workouts and strategic exercises selections.  My ideal client values their time and is motivated to work hard and burn as many calories as they can during their sessions.