Strength training has so many benefits that it's something everyone should be doing. If you haven't started yet, here are some of those benefits that hopefully will convince you to start:
Strengthens your bones: lifting weights temporarily puts stress on your bones, which makes the body rebuild them stronger. Stronger bones reduces the risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures, which is especially important as you get older.
Improves heart health: regular strength training can help to decrease blood pressure, lower cholesterol and improve circulation by strengthening the heart and blood vessels.
Helps to manage blood sugar levels: it can decrease the risk of developing diabetes, and those already with it can manage it better due to the fact that muscle helps increase insulin sensitivity.
Makes you stronger: this may seem like an obvious one, but it doesn't just enable you to lift heavier in the gym. It makes daily tasks feel easier. For example, playing with your kids, carrying shopping bags and walking up the stairs won't all feel like hard work.
Burns more calories: the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest due to muscles being more metabolically efficient than fat mass. Also, studies have shown that your metabolic rate stays elevated up to 72 hours after strength-training, meaning that you're still burning more calories hours after your workout.
Makes you look 'toned': many people want to achieve this look but don't realise lifting weights help with this. They don't make you 'bulky'.
Builds confidence and improves self-esteem: strength training releases endorphins, making you feel good, and by making you feel stronger and more toned it can improve body confidence.
These are some of the endless reasons of why you need to include resistance training in your routine, and why you should start now!
To summarise, weight training has so many mental and physical benefits that it's something we all should include in our routines. For a healthier, longer life start lifting weights!
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