Resistance Training

Best way to approach resistance training at first to strengthen tendons/ligaments?

I've been training for years now and am not concerned with my own connective tissue. The story is this: I will be helping a couple teenage males get started with weight training, and don't want to send the lads on a path that will lead to injury.

I plan to spend the first few weeks working with relatively low weight loads while concentrating on form, technique, breathing, the physiology of muscle growth, diet, and proper stretching before, during and after training.

Any hot tips on helping these brave lads avoid injury?

Emphasize stretching. New studies show that the length of the muscle actually means more in relation to power than the diameter of the muscle.

Know when and how to stretch. Never do static stretches before a work out, instead do stretches like big arm circles, or exaggerated jumping jacks.

Make sure you advise them on a 5-10 min cardio before lifting weights as well. This gets oxygen to the muscle and helps them get warm.

But yeah to sum up...short cardio to start, active stretches, weight lifting routine (stretching after sets is also GREAT) and finally you can finish with static stretches.

Any questions email me at kbrookst@gmail.com

My Five Principles for Resistance Training