What is Strength Training and Why is it Important?

8 Ways Strength Training Improves Your Health

Frequent strength training:

1. Assists in weight loss.
2. Improves heart health.
3. Fortifies bone density.
4. Lessens joint pain.
5. Decreases blood pressure.
6. Speeds up your metabolism.
7. Builds lean muscle.
8. Helps you look and feel better! (1)

 

Helps Prevent Muscle Loss as You Age

Staying active becomes even more important as we get older. A middle-aged adult will lose an average of 3 percent of their muscle mass year-over-year. (2) This degenerative loss of muscle mass is referred to as sarcopenia. (The literal meaning of sarcopenia is “loss of flesh.”) Sarcopenia is a “use it or lose it” circumstance.

If you don’t test your muscles to grow stronger, they will ultimately become weak. Living a couch potato lifestyle increases your likelihood of ending up with sarcopenia. This loss of muscle includes decreased quality of muscle tissue, strength, and flexibility. (3)

Helps Prevent Osteoporosis and Builds Bone Density

For women, regular strength training becomes even more essential. Women naturally have smaller, more slender bones than men; and at the age of 30, women’s bone density is at its strongest. As women age, estrogen levels decline, resulting in further decreased bone strength, (4) which can cause osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease that lessens the quality and concentration of your bones. (The literal interpretation of osteoporosis is “porous bone.”) Bones are just like your muscles–if you don’t challenge your bones to become stronger, they become weak.

But the good news is, strength training builds bone density and promotes strong muscles! Frequent strength training, in addition with a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, can help prevent osteoporosis and cope with sarcopenia–and in some cases, even cure it! (5)

 

Combats Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Not only is strength training critical for a strong, healthy body–but it supplies numerous mental health benefits too! Studies show that strength training, even two days per week, helps fight stress, anxiety, and depression. (6) Not only can strength training bring peace of mind, but it also increases self-confidence and helps promote a healthy body image.

Try a Free Week at FXB of Little Elm

The most important part of strength training is to find an activity you enjoy and keeping with it! At Farrell’s of Little Elm, our certified instructors lead strength training classes three days per week, switching upper and lower body days to give your muscles sufficient time to recover. Try a free week today and find out how you can burn fat, build muscle, and boost your confidence with Farrell’s!