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New Permanent Location

254 East Crossroads Blvd, 84045
Saratoga Springs Utah next to Twisted Sugar

To Lift or Not to Lift?

If a great Shakespearean protagonist had, anachronistically, joined a gym, his internal existential inquiry might have been, "To lift or not to lift?". Many centuries later, the identical inquiry, or controversy, persists. Joining a gym (health club) usually implies the new club member is going to engage in strength training in one form or another. Such exercise provides an abundance of benefits and is a valuable lifestyle choice for most people. But the possibility of injury exists. The key to safe, beneficial exercise is to learn how to do strength training correctly, then develop a plan, and follow the plan.

Government health and wellness guidelines recommend doing 150 minutes of (at least) moderate exercise per week. This translates to at least 30 minutes of exercise five times per week. Strength training is an important component of any exercise program designed to fulfill these recommendations. In combination with cardiorespiratory exercise, strength training greatly improves muscular capabilities and endurance. Your body becomes fit, toned, and honed, and as a result, you become much better equipped to successfully manage the mechanical stresses and strains that everyone encounters during the course of a normal day.1-3

If you are new to strength training or haven't done this form of exercise in a while, then the most important rule is to start slowly. Scientifically determine how much weight you should be lifting by experimentation. Choose a very light weight and see whether you can do eight repetitions with that weight comfortably. If it's difficult to do eight reps, then start over with the next lighter weight. If it's too easy to do eight reps, then start over with the next heavier weight. If eight repetitions feels just about right, then that's the weight with which to begin that particular exercise. Follow these steps for each of your exercises and you'll have established your beginning routine on a personal and safe foundation.

Strength training need never become boring, as you can change your routine with almost infinite variety. For example, for a 12-week period you could do chest and back exercises one day, then leg exercises a second day, and shoulder and arm exercises a third day. You would do your cardiorespiratory exercise on the remaining two days (for a total of five weekly days of exercise). During a different 12-week period, you could do cardiorespiratory exercise on three days and do arm and leg exercises on one day and chest, back, and shoulder exercises on a second day. Or you could choose to "work light" and exercise all your body parts on a single day. You could do your total-body strength training two or three days a week, filling in the other days with cardiorespiratory exercise. The only guideline in the context of these routine designs is whether the routine works for you. If it works, then it works.

As with all exercise programs, the more consistent you are, the greater long-term benefit you'll derive. Be sure to build-in recovery time by taking a week off here and there for rest and recharging. A modern Hamlet would find his or her exercise time enjoyable and rewarding, and would answer the perplexing question with a resounding, "Yes. I will lift."

1Granacher U, et al: The importance of trunk muscle strength for balance, functional performance, and fall prevention in seniors: a systematic review. Sports Med 43(7):627-641, 2013

2Grier T, et al: The effects of cross-training on fitness and injury in women. US Army Med Dep J Apr-Jun:33-41, 2015

3Liu Y, et al: Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on the glycolipid metabolism and inflammation levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Phys Ther Sci 27(7):2365-2371, 2015
These are very good points. With expanded research funding it may be possible to fulfill the assumptions of parametric analysis with greater confidence.

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Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Dr. Goodman is a miracle worker! He has been our chiropractor of choice for over 10+ years. Dr. Goodman is friendly and knowledgeable. He listens and sincerely cares about his patients’ needs. I highly recommend him for any of your chiropractic needs."
    ANGELA WALKER
  • "Dr. Goodman is the best chiropractor that I've ever had! I love coming here he takes care of me very well and his receptionist is awesome as well. I love Goodman chiropractic!"
    SHANE BUNDY
  • "Such an amazing team. Always so welcoming. So easy to communicate. They have always squeezed me in if my schedule changes. I won't go anywhere else."
    ASHLEY GIBSON
  • "Dr. Goodman is great! He explains to you why and what he is doing. He works with you to come up with a treatment plan. He feels like a friend that just wants to help you feel better. I don't think I could ever go any where else again."
    MELISSA HOYT
  • "After two weeks of visits, I feel 15 years younger!

    Back pain is pretty much gone and I feel so much better.

    Dr. Goodman is an expert and true professional at his craft.

    I've been visiting for lower back pain, but they can help with so much more. Give their office a call if you are considering a chiropractor."
    PARKER MCCUMBER
  • "I'm from out of town visiting my daughter. I hurt my lower back just before leaving on vacation. I was miserable. My daughter had been to Dr. Goodman for her neck which fixed as well. She made me an appointment after 2 visits I was feeling great. I would highly recommend Dr. Goodman."
    TOMMY THOMSON
  • "Dr. Goodman does a great job and listens when I tell him what is going on with me."
    BRIAN
  • "We love going to the chiropractor!!! My children who are 11 and 9 look forward to going as well. Dr goodman is the best. I've been to several chiropractors, they all just end up hurting me and I never want to go back. He has helped not only my neck and lower back feel better, but my whole body as well. If you need to see a chiropractor, go see someone else; because Dr Goodman is all MINE!!! 😁😁😁. OH, and I can not forget his LOVELY receptionist Chiska she is AWESOMESAUSE πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ My children love her as well."
    REBECCA TREJO
  • "I love that Dr. Goodman does his job well and doesn't require any other unnecessary treatments. He's honest and easy to work with. He listens to you and your needs. Chiska, his secretary, is great as well, and easy to work with."
    AVALLE FAMILY
  • "I am a new patient of Dr. Goodman and I highly recommend him. He is very professional and I really appreciate him explaining all my questions and concerns. He was really great and the office is beautiful and clean. His staff is great too. Very friendly and helpful."
    JANETH M
  • "Nice place, Dr Goodman is funny and very personable, my wife is getting adjustments and feeling better with each visit"
    SCOTT NELSON
  • "I've been going to Goodman Chiropractic for many years. I feel that he keeps me going. I have chronic back pain and his adjustments help me function well. He knows what he is doing. He is a professional with a great sense of humor. He is cares about me and about my health. Chiska manages the office and runs it very efficiently. She has a great personality and a ready smile. I won't go anywhere else. I highly recommend him too anyone who is looking for Chiropractic services."
    MICKI DELALOZA