Exercise. We all know that exercise is important. We also all have our favorite forms of exercise. Whether it’s yoga, running, hiking, swimming, Crossfit, Pilates, or Zumba – we all have something we prefer to do if given the choice. And let’s be honest – as long as we are moving and exercising great, right? Right!
With that said there are some forms of exercise that may be more beneficial then others. One such form of exercise is weight training.
But, Weight Training Isn’t For Me.
For some reason there are a lot of stigmas surrounding the idea of weight training. The first big on you hear is that weight training will make you bulky. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because one simply add’s in weight training into their routine does not mean they will bulk up – this is a big fear for many women who simply want to have lean muscle mass. Weight training does not mean bulk if you don’t want it to.
The other stigma is that weight training is only for advanced athletes. Many might think that they are too new to exercise and will just stick to the treadmill. Others will think they aren’t strong enough to weight train. These are both false. You are never too new or to weak to weight train. Start out slow and small and build from there, or if you are afraid, find a trainer to help you along your way – you’ll be surprised with what your body is capable of.
So now you know that you can infact start weight training… we turn to the why?
What Benefits Are There to Weight T weight train?
When you weight train the obvious answer of what it can help your body with is strength… but there is more to it then that.
Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll get from weight training:
- Increase Muscle Mass: While it’s obvious it still needs to be stated. Weight training will increase your strength and muscle mass and who doesn’t want things to be a bit easier as you try to take in every bag of groceries from the car. Plus all that increased muscle mass leads us to our next benefit…
- Weight Loss: Not only does weight training help you lose weight, but it helps you keep it off! All that lean muscle will help replace that fat. Plus weight training helps increase the amount of calories you burn not only during exercise, but also when you are not exercising throughout the rest of your day.
- Bone Health: As we age our bone density starts to decrease. Adding in strength training helps keep that bone density up as well as can help reduce risk of osteoporosis and other chronic conditions.
- Less Injury: Weight training helps strengthen connective tissue, muscles, and tendons. With that increases strength you are led to improved motor performance and your risk of injury (during exercise or daily activities) decreases.
- Confidence: When you start to weight train you will notice as you get stronger you and your body will start to gain confidence. Who doesn’t want more confidence?
Weight training can drastically improve your health – so what’s stopping you? Make weight training part of your routine and start to see all the amazing changes that take place!
Sources:
http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/5-benefits-of-weight-training
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/add-strength-training-to-your-workout.aspx
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/weight_training/benefits.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1008208-13-benefits-weightlifting-one-tells/#slide=3