Type 2 Diabetes - Why Diabetics Should Consider Strength Training!

Diabetics know all too well the importance of exercising. Most often, people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are instructed to do aerobics or some other form of low-impact exercise... such as swimming or walking. But research shows another type of exercise can offer diabetics even more benefits. What is this other type of exercise? Strength training.

Sometimes referred to as muscle training, strength training involves working out with weights. For those who do not have access to weights and are not interested in purchasing them, this type of training can also be accomplished by working out using your own body weight as the resistance. An example of this would be push-ups.

Strength training offers a multitude of benefits. Besides building strength, it improves your blood sugar levels and allows your body to burn excess sugar much more efficiently. This helps you to lose weight which, in turn, lowers the risk of many other medical conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.

Research shows this particular type of training offers virtually the same level of physical benefits as aerobic training. Studies also show strength training can help individuals to control their blood sugar as well as most medications prescribed for the same purpose.

One great thing about using strength training is it doesn't have to be about bulking up your muscles. This particular type of training also involves trimming and toning. Instead of using heavy weights for building bulk; strength training for diabetics would employ more repetitions of lighter weights. This accomplishes the same goal of building muscle, just not at such an extreme volume.

As with any other type of exercise, it is important to remember a few key rules:

• always warm up properly before starting your exercise session. This can involve jumping jacks, stretching, light jogging in place, etc.
• make sure you have plenty of water on hand and drink throughout the workout, even if you don't feel dehydrated.
• make sure you start out slowly and work your way up in intensity and weight. This is especially true if you are completely new to weight training.
• always check your blood sugar levels before starting, after completion and at any time during the workout when you are not feeling well.
• make sure to say well fueled by consuming the right amount of the right kind of proteins.

Make sure you clear any weight training program with your doctor before beginning, and inform them as soon as possible if you begin to experience any side effects or complications as a result of it.

Type 2 diabetes is no longer a condition you must live with. It need not slowly and inevitably get worse. Now is the time to take control of the disease... try some strength training and see the difference it makes to your life.