Strength Training Not Just For Body Builders

Strength training is not just for body builders; it can provide many benefits to everyday people:

 

Builds muscle: Strength training helps build muscle, which allows one to perform daily tasks more easily. It also reduces the risk of falling or severely injuring yourself. Adding muscle through strength training is especially important as one ages, because, without strength training, our body naturally loses up to ten pounds in muscle mass per decade. Strength training counteracts this effect.

Strengthens the heart: Strength training improves heart function, thereby reducing blood pressure and risk of heart disease.

 

Improves bone density: Studies have shown that strength training can increase bone density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

 

Burns calories: Strength training not only burns calories while one is working out, it also increases one's base metabolism so more calories are burned throughout the day. This is because lean muscles burn calories even while at rest.

 

Reduces pain: As one builds muscle, pain in certain areas, especially the lower back diminishes.

 

Increases confidence and self-esteem: As one gets healthier through strength training, one feels better. One can take advantage of the increased health and energy to recreational tasks that were difficult before. Also, as one increases muscle tone and loses body fat, physical attractiveness often improves. For many this is a great confidence boost.

 

To enjoy these benefits, You can start by adding a few minutes of strength training twice a week and work up to three times a week. Having a rest period in between workouts is essential to allow muscles to repair themselves.

 

It isn't necessary to go to the gym to perform strength training; it can be done at home with little or even no equipment. Small hand weights, resistance bands, balls or one's own body weight can serve as the needed resistance for a home strength training routine.