Strength Training is a Frequent Part of Your Workout

When it comes to exercise, I'm a bit of a cardio junkie. My favorite workout includes some light work with weights, but I have to remember to incorporate some more serious weight training a few times a week. I wondered how often you include strength training in your workout.

• 46 percent of you include strength training one to three times each week.
• 30 percent of you strength train more than three times each week.
• 16 percent of you include strength training at every workout.
• 8 percent of you rarely strength train.

I asked Elise Gulan, Exercise TV trainer, how often she recommends strength training for her clients. Gulan said, "Strength training is an irreplaceable aspect of any comprehensive fitness regime. It builds lean muscle mass, which increases the resting metabolic rate for optimal aesthetic results. It also builds muscle that helps support and align the spine and improves bone density which is imperative for women over 30. Full body strength training (like yoga, pilates or weight work) 3-4 times a week in combination with cardio and stretch is a very achievable goal ... even in today's busy world!"

Want some suggestions to get you started? Try some of these great strength training moves from Mayo Clinic. And be sure to check out some of Elise Gulan's featured workouts on Exercise TV.