By Jaime Curley

As a member of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, you have the chance to meet interesting people in the business community. A few months ago I met Sarah Ostroski, owner of Tonicity Fit in West Chester, at the CCCBI mixer and we immediately hit it off. I have been training with her for a few weeks now and I learn so much from her every time I step foot in her gym. She is a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist and this is what she has to say about weight training and bone health.

Did you know that weight training is imperative for bone health?

The two main structural processes that take place within bones are formation and resorption.  Formation takes place when bone cells work together to create new bone tissue to maintain a strong skeletal structure.

Bone resorption is bone tissue breakdown.  It is carried out by cells that break down bone tissue, and results in the release of minerals such as calcium and magnesium.  These minerals are released from bone and transferred into the blood to be used for many life sustaining processes.

Bone resorption and formation are constantly taking place within the tissue. Both processes are important for sustaining optimal health. However, as the body ages, formation cells begin to operate at a slower rate.  If not counter balanced with healthy habits, this contributes to many bone disorders and weaknesses.  Decreased bone tissue can lead to elevated fall risk, lower blood cell production, and even osteoporosis.

Fortunately, mechanical stress through weight training is a positive and controllable health factor for strong and healthy bones.

The push and pull movements of joints against a force significantly stimulates bone formation cells.  The contraction of muscles against forces such as a free weights, fixed machines, elastic bands, and medicine balls, creates the mechanical stress necessary to regulate the rate between bone breakdown and formation.

Working with a trained professional on the most efficient and effective weight training techniques can provide structured programs that specifically target and maintain strong and healthy bone structure.  If you would like to learn more about bone health, feel free to contact Tonicity Fit in West Chester for a free consultation.

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Jaime Lynn Curley is the founder of West Chester-based The Tailor Made Life, LLC., a solutions company helping individuals achieve Mind, Body and Career goals.  Her passion is helping others to feel their best so they can enjoy the everyday moments of life.  You can reach her at jaimelynncurley@gmail.com or on her Facebook page.