Everyone wants to stay fit and look good. With increasing faulty eating habits and busy schedules, it is important to take care of our health. Strength training is one such tool for everyone which can aid in meeting our health and fitness goals.
As we grow old, our body tends to lose muscles and gain fat. Hence, it becomes important to gain lean muscle mass and lose fat. A common notion attached to strength training is that it is only meant for bodybuilders as it might make us look bulky with huge biceps and triceps. But the fact is that strength training is a means to stay stronger and fit for everyone, including females. Just a few short exercise sessions with free weights, dumbbells, or without any types of equipment like squats, push-ups, abdominal crunches, etc. at least 4-5 days per week is sufficient. In fact, as per the American Heart Association, a person must perform strength training at least twice per week.
Let’s discuss why strength training is a must for all.
1. Strength training helps boost muscle mass. It aids in gaining lean muscles and reduces unwanted body fat.
2. If you are aiming to lose weight, then strength training is the best way to meet your aim. It supports fat loss from the body, keeps blood cholesterol levels in check with a reduction in the risk of developing metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
3. Strength training also helps manage blood glucose levels in the body. It improves insulin sensitivity and prevents its resistance. It ensures effective utilisation of carbs and proteins consumed, also minimises diabetes likelihood in later stages.
4. Strength training is good for our joints health. It improves joint flexibility, bone density with reduced fractures, injury risk and osteoporosis. Healthy joints are also necessary for preventing arthritis.
5. Strength training may act as a stress buster. It alleviates stress, anxiety, reduces cortisol levels in the body and contributes to improving brain functioning, cognitive health and better memory.
6. In addition to bone health, strength training keeps a check on our muscle health as well. It improves tendons, ligaments, connective tissues which are necessary to better mobility, flexibility and maintain the balance of the body.
To sum up, strength training is a safe, economical and convenient way to stay fit. It improves the overall quality of life, prevents us from various metabolic diseases like cancer. It can either be done at home or in the gym. If you are involved in heavyweight training, then it is important to take proper rest for complete recovery of muscles and prevent their damage.
Live longer and healthy with strength training.