Strength training (otherwise known as resistance training, weight-training, weight-lifting, and pumping iron) are words that were once synonymous with men exercising at the gym. Lifting big weights and increasing strength was the domain of the male, and the occasional bodybuilding female. It was thought to be a most unfeminine practice, and many females shied away fearful that they would grow big man-like muscles if they lifted a couple of weights.
These days, the ratio of men and women participating in strength training activity in gyms is much more even. This is because there has been a growing body of evidence over the years to suggest that everybody – no matter what their gender, age, or size – should be including some form of strength training in their exercise regime. Strength training is a key component of overall health and fitness for everyone; in fact, it is exactly what your body needs to fight the loss of muscle, bone mass and strength that occurs naturally as part of the aging process.
Let me further explain the benefits and qualities of Strength Training, and how it can (and will) make a difference to your ongoing quality of life:
* Strength Training allows for improved Weight Management: Not only does strength training assist in kick-starting the weight-loss process, it helps maintain weight loss too. Women who follow a weight-training regime 3 times a week can increase the amount of energy (calories) burned in their normal daily activity. This is in addition to those burned during the exercise itself! Strength training improves your inner fire, and keeps those calories being burned – even once you’ve left the gym!
* Strength Training protects bone and muscle strength:
After puberty, regardless of your gender or ethnic origin, you begin to lose about 1 percent of your bone and muscle strength every year. One of the best ways to stop and prevent bone and muscle loss is to add strength training to your weekly exercise schedule. Even better knews – strength training can even reverse this process if it becomes a regular and progressive fixture in your life. When your muscles get stronger, your bones get stronger too – and the risk of osteoporosis is lessened.
* Strength Training makes you more Capable: The stronger your muscles, the easier and more capable you will be with
simple day-to-day activities i.e. carrying your grocery shopping, opening a jar. As you get stronger, your stamina will increase so you won’t fatigue as easily, and your balance will be much better – enabling you to feel stronger and more indepenent in tricky situations. Your body posture will also be more functional, and you’ll experience less pain as a result.
* Strength training plays a role in disease prevention.
Strength training improves various elements of wellness. Strength training can be as effective as medication in reducing arthritic complaints and pain. Strength training can help post-menopausal women increase their bone density and reduce the risk of bone fractures. Strength training improves glucose control and can therefore reduce the likeliness of you succumbing to Lifestyle-Type Diabetes. Strength training can reduce long-term blood pressure, the onset of heart disease, and lessens the risk of obesity. Essentially, if exercise was a pill, it would be prescribed to cure just about every disease in the world.
* Strength training boosts energy levels and improves your mood.
Strength training will naturally release endorphins (natural opiates produced by the brain) into your blood, which will make you feel great. Aside from making you feel awesome, strength training has also been shown to be a great antidepressant, helps you sleep better, and improves your focus, attention and concentration too. In general, it makes you happier – and who doesn’t want that?
So there we have it – five well-rounded reasons why you should be including strength training in your weekly exercise schedule. Today I have given you the benefits of strength training. In my next submission, I will bring you the how, and explain how easy (and cheap) it is to become involved in one of the various strength training modalities.
For questions email corinne@fitfixnz.co.nz.