The main reasons why you should do strength training.
When you lift weights, you build lean muscle tissue that is more metabolically active than fat. When you increase muscle mass, you also increase metabolism, which means you burn more calories throughout the day. Regular strength training is just as important as cardio exercises for weight loss and keeping fit.
It makes you stronger
It may seem obvious that lifting weights can make you stronger... but some people forget that it makes you stronger not only during training, but also in other areas of life.
When you lift weights regularly, everything else becomes a little easier too — carrying groceries, housework, gardening, carrying children, etc.
Plus: Strength training doesn't just make your muscles stronger. It also makes your bones stronger, which can help reduce or even manage osteoporosis.
This reduces the risk of injury
Strength training is good because it strengthens everything, not just muscles and bones. When you lift weights, you also strengthen connective tissue — the ligaments and tendons that ensure regular movement of your body. Strengthening connective tissue will help you continue to work in the best condition and protect your body from injury.
This increases balance and flexibility
If we don't maintain muscle mass through strength training, what happens when we get older? We lose muscle mass, and this often leads to weight gain, loss of balance and flexibility. Lifting weights can help you work out your joints in a full range of motion, keeping them strong and flexible, as well as standing steadily on your feet.
It makes you better at sports
Most athletes these days follow one or another strength training program to maintain strength and avoid injury. Workouts specific to your sport can also help you improve power, strength, and speed to become a better athlete. Even children and teenagers often benefit from some types of strength training when it comes to sports.
It increases confidence
According to some studies, both men and women feel better when lifting weights. By getting stronger and noticing changes over time, such as the ability to lift more weight and do more exercise, both men and women build confidence and, especially for women, improve their body image.
Weight lifting, along with other types of exercise, also helps to build self-confidence and can even help to cope with the symptoms of depression and anxiety... a great way to deal with stress in a healthy way.
It lowers blood pressure
Regular strength training can help lower high blood pressure over time, so it may be another way (besides cardio exercises) to treat high blood pressure in some people.
If you have high blood pressure, I don't need to remind you that you should always talk to your doctor before starting any new activities.
It makes your life better
One thing that often surprises people after they start lifting weights is how it seeps into other areas of their lives.
It is these small improvements that bring the greatest benefit, and it does not take much time to see and feel such improvements.
