Resistance training is a fantastic way to build lean, toned muscles while helping to reduce body fat. It has also been shown to increase bone strength, something older people, in particular, can benefit from.

But if there is one downside to resistance training, it's the risk of injury. Granted, there's a risk of injury in just about everything in life, but weightlifting comes with its own unique set. That's why adhering to these weightlifting safety suggestions provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians is the way to go.

• Always warm up before lifting with some light cardio and easy sets, and cool down and stretch afterward
• Wear shoes with good traction to prevent against slipping
  
• Use a spotter when performing any major lifts, especially pressing exercises that place the weight above you
  
• Find a trainer or workout coach to assist you in learning how to perform exercises properly
  
• Set realistic goals for yourself based on your age, gender, physical strength and maturity

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Want to build a better body and help the environment at the same time? An easy way to go about doing this is to run or bike to work every day, but let's take that a step further by also running or biking to the gym. And, once at that gym, your conservation efforts don't end there; in fact, they increase. This is the philosophy behind a growing trend in the fitness industry: Green Gyms.

The New York Times recently did a piece (titled "How Powerful is Your Gym?") about a gym in Portland, OR, one of many around the country that are dedicated to protecting the environment. In addition to utilizing solar-powered electricity for their energy-efficient treadmills and elliptical machines, many of these same machines are actually constructed to generate energy.

Environmentally-conscious people from all walks of life are drawn to green gyms. Some enjoy the no-frills approach to fitness they offer (many don't even have showers or drinking fountains), while others appreciate the opportunity to make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint. In all cases, people seem to be hip to the idea, and that creates a very promising outlook for the future of our health and the health of the world we live in.

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Did you know that, on average, we actually burn more total calories during everyday activities than we do during our daily workout? These activities, affectionately referred to as N.E.A.T. (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), can be anything from vacuuming your carpet to pacing around while you talk on the phone.

The website DietDetective.com offers up some great and simple ways to burn more calories throughout the day using the N.E.A.T. philosophy. Here are just a few that they suggest:

• Get a stepper for under your desk or for while you watch TV
• Drink a glass of cold water
• Gesture and fidget
• Laugh more
• Stand up
• Walk while you work
• Get up and speak to coworkers instead of using I.M. or email
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Purposely park far away from your office building or the mall

For a more detailed description of each, visit the DietDetective.com website by clicking HERE.

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