Strength training also known as resistance, weight or muscular training is a crucial component of fitness and health regimens.
First, the bad news...lean muscle mass naturally decreases with age which is directly correlated with health decline.
Now, the good news...regardless of age, strength training can help enhance your muscle mass and improve your health.
Female or male, young or old... you should be lifting weights and it is never too late to start!
Here are 8 reasons to "pump you up"...
Increased Muscle Mass & Strength: Strength training helps build and maintain muscle mass, which can improve overall body composition specifically decreasing fat mass and visceral fat that is linked to increased risk of chronic disease. Increasing your strength can also improve your ability to perform daily activities and reduces fatigue!
Increased Metabolism: Improving muscle mass can boost your resting metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories even at rest! It also allows you to burn extra calories while recovering from the exercise.
Improved Bone Density: Regular strength training can increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Strength training puts temporary positive stress on bones stimulating the growth of new bone cells thus making them stronger.
Improved Immunity: Muscle mass is linked to our immune system. The more you have, the less likely you are to get sick with acute and chronic disease.
Improved Mental Health: Exercise, specifically strength training, has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression through the release of endorphins and other hormones resulting in an improved mood, boosting self esteem and body image.
Prevents Cognitive Decline: Low muscle mass is associateed with a faster decline in cognitive function and increased risk of dementia in older adults.
Improved Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: Individuals with more muscle mass have improved blood pressure, lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and higher HDL (good cholesterol) as well as increased insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar control.
Better Joint Health: Strengthening the muscles around joints can provide better support, stability and flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries.
There are many more reasons to strength train but I highlighted some of the top reasons to start lifting.
Don't forget about your nutrition! It is important to include protein at ALL meals and post exercise to help repair muscle cells and assist in increasing your lean body mass.
The information provided in this post is for education only and is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor should it be used as a replacement for seeking medical treatment.
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