7 Reasons to Lift

If you’re someone who currently focuses solely on cardiovascular exercise, it’s time to take your health and fitness to the next level and reap the rewards of strength training. While cardio workouts have their own merit, the gains from regular strength training are too valuable to ignore and cannot be overstated. And yet surprisingly, studies show that only 1 in 4 adults participate in some kind of weight training.

Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or a newbie to the world of strength training, incorporating weight training into your routine can bring a wide range of positive changes to your life. So let’s explore the reasons why you should make strength training a non-negotiable part of your weekly routine …

Perhaps the most known benefit of strength training is the potential for muscle and strength gain. Building and maintaining muscle mass is important to enhance sports performance, reduce injury risk and improve movement quality. As we age, muscle mass and strength play a role in boosting quality of life, enhancing balance and improving the ability to do everyday activities.

But strength training builds more than muscles – strength training helps us to build strong bones. Weight-bearing exercises stimulate the bones to become denser and stronger. As we age, bone density naturally decreases, which can lead to conditions like osteoporosis. Strength training can help combat this by promoting bone growth and reducing the risk of fractures and bone-related diseases.

A plus for your daily routine

Maintaining good mobility and range of motion is crucial for everyday activities and injury prevention. Strength training helps to improve flexibility and joint stability, which, in turn, enhances your overall mobility and movement. With greater flexibility and strength, you’ll find it easier to perform daily tasks and improve athletic performance, all while reducing the risk of injuries from falls or overexertion.

Strength training can be a powerful tool in preventing injuries. A balanced training program helps to build a protective barrier around your joints, reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. Stronger muscles also aid in maintaining proper form during various exercises, further decreasing the likelihood of overuse injuries.

But strength training isn’t just about physical gains; it also works wonders in improving mental well-being. When you lift weights, your body releases endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” hormone. Endorphins are found to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Studies show that regular strength training can also improve self-esteem, boost confidence, and build mental resilience.

Boost your performance

When we combine the benefits listed above: stronger muscles, improved quality of movement, reduction of injury risk and elevated confidence and self-esteem it is no wonder that strength training helps to significantly boost sports performance. In addition to these benefits, weightlifting is shown to improve power development which leads to quicker running times and higher vertical jump, for example.

Strength training offers a host of other health benefits, including the prevention and management of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Regular strength training can help control blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and regulate blood sugar, all of which contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system. Additionally, it can assist in weight management, reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions.

While cardio exercise offers numerous health benefits, it’s no replacement for strength training. Neglecting strength training means missing out on the advantages related to muscle development, improved bone density, enhanced functional fitness, and injury prevention.

Incorporating strength training will help to improve your physical and mental well-being, increase your performance, and prevent and manage a range of health conditions. Let this be your prompt to start lifting weights. Build strength training into your routine 2-3 times per week and let strength training change your life for the better.