Despite the fact that most people associate cardio workouts such as High Intensity Interval Training (HITT), jogging, boxing or cycling with keeping fit and healthy, you’ll find that strength training is an equally important element in every fitness routine. Although weight training may not necessarily make you lose weight fast, it will make you lean. Being lean and having stronger muscles have multiple benefits in terms of your fitness too. Regardless of whether you are old or young, male or female, there are loads of benefits that come from incorporating strength training into your regular fitness routine. If you are still on the fence about weights, here are some of top benefits of strength training:
1. Helps Improve Posture and Builds Strength
Cardio workouts such as running or cycling aids your muscles and burns fat, which is great for weight loss, but this won’t necessarily build strength. Weight training focuses on particular muscle groups. For instance, one day you’ll work on your legs and on another you’ll focus on your chest. Here is a step-by-step article to give you an example of a typical chest day routine. As muscles get stronger, you’ll find yourself standing up straighter and holding yourself better. This is also an exercise, so you’ll find yourself working out without even noticing.
2. Injury Prevention
The stronger you are, the more resilient your body will be. Your muscles support other important elements of the body such as ligaments, tendons and bones. Keeping your muscles strong helps improve stability and makes you less prone to injury.
3. Improves Bone Strength
A good strength training program helps improve bone density. As we age, we lose muscle mass, which makes our bones more vulnerable to fractures and conditions such as osteoporosis. Investing your efforts into strengthening those muscles, especially around the hips and spine, can reduce the risks of broken bones as you get older.
4. Burns More Calories
The more lean muscle a person has, the more calories they burn during rest. When you do a strength training workout, you are required to push those muscles to new intensities which causes small tears. When the muscles heal over the course of 24 to 48 hours after your workout, you’ll continue to burn calories.
5. Strength Training Is Great for Relieving Stress
Many would argue there is no better way to relieve stress than hitting the gym. All types of exercise, including weights, produce endorphins which are known to raise your mood. What’s more, you’ll see quick improvements as your strength improves and you start lifting heavier weights. This will serve to boost your confidence. There are even some emotional benefits of weight training, which makes it an overall healthy activity.
Photo Credit: John Arano (Unsplash)
Bottom Line
Any type of exercise you do can have benefits for your overall health. Whether you want to focus on cardio, yoga or lifting weights, each type of workout has its benefits, but strength training is especially important. Even if you decide not to make it the sole purpose of your workout regimen, incorporating elements of strength training has the potential to do you the world of good. Get yourself to the gym and start lifting those weights; you won’t regret it.
