We are finally getting to a point where people understand that strength training is a crucial aspect of their fitness routine. Gone are the days of countless hours of dance aerobics with no resistance training. Women are beginning to really “get” the fact that exercise and lifting weights won’t lead to big bulky muscles. They understand that those female bodybuilders often look the way they do because of a combination of diet, workouts, and pro-hormonal supplements. Strength training simply must be included in your fitness routine so you can see the real results you are seeking and because it offers benefits beyond what you can see.
There’s no question that exercise and lifting weights will help sculpt your body. As you build muscle, your metabolism increases, which can lead to fat loss. In addition, by building up those muscles, as the fat is burned you will reveal a sculpted and sexy physique. You certainly won’t run the risk of looking “skinny fat”.
But what about the benefits of strength training that go beyond the purely aesthetic? Well, there are many. Whether you use resistance bands, gym machines, or exercise and lifting weights, you will reap the many benefits of strength training when you add it to at least 3 days out of the week.
The Mayo Clinic offers a great article on all of the benefits of strength training. They include stronger bones, increase stamina, better sleep, reduced risk of injury, decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety, and relief from arthritis and back pain. Nearly every year, more benefits are added to this list as science discovers all of the ways in which muscle conditioning can improve overall health and wellness.
Just last month, a study out of British Columbia found that older women who added one to two hours of strength training to their week increased mental function. Their test scores one year after beginning the exercise and weight lifting program actually improved. This is groundbreaking; their test scores weren’t simply maintained, but they got better!
With all of the reasons that strength training can benefit you there is really no excuse for leaving it off the workout schedule. The best at home workout systems include a variety of fitness approaches including cardio, flexibility, and strength training. For those reasons we discussed and those that simply haven’t been discovered yet, be sure to pick up some weights during your next workout!
