Strength Training: What it can do for you
When we talk about hitting the gym, many people think of running, cardio machines, circuit classes and sweaty bootcamps. You will be shocked if you know how many people choose to become a gym member just to use the treadmill. But what if a certain type of exercise could benefit your mind and help you lose weight while making you look better and feel stronger? Wouldn't you want to get started? Well, studies show that strength training can provide all those benefits and more.
But first, what is strength training?
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, strength training is a physical activity designed to focus on muscular fitness by exercising a specific muscle to improve your body resistance, including free-weights, weight machines, or your own body weight.
Although people think cardio is the best way to burn calories and do something positive for your health, strength training has been shown to help keep a healthy weight, improving posture, develop strength and improve physical and mental health.
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It helps with the demands of day to day life.
Strength training can help decrease many effects of aging like physical strength, balance, posture and walking speed. Playing with the kids, painting the house or doing some gardening becomes easier, due to the positive effects that strength training has on our body’s ability to cope with the demands of day to day life. Strength training can improve your cardiovascular health and reduce blood pressure.
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It makes you look fitter and firmer
Many people get into exercise purely to “look good and feel good”. If your goal is to lose weight, you should not limit yourself to one type of exercise. A combination of strength training and cardio is your best bet for overall health and wellness. Muscle mass is a major determinant of metabolic rate, which means the more muscle you have, the more the number of calories your body burns each day.
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It can strengthen your mental health.
Strength training also improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercising helps with mental illnesses, but strength training provides an opportunity to challenge yourself to overcome obstacles in a controlled and predictable environment.
Who doesn't want to look better, feel better, and live a longer, healthier life? So, what are you waiting for? Get started now with a complete workout program that includes strength training!
For more information you can visit these websites:
American Council on Sports Medicine. Resistance Training for Health and Fitness. 2013.
