Benefits of Weight Training

Weight training is something everyone should incorporate into their exercise regime. There is so much more to weight training than just building up muscle mass. There are many great benefits to weight training, some that you may not even be aware of.

Here are 11 ways weight training can benefit you:

1. Increasing muscle mass: this is probably the most obvious benefit of weight training. Increasing muscle mass is especially important for older adults, as you naturally lose muscle mass as you age. Maintaining healthy muscle mass is essential for you to be able to continue going about your daily activities with ease.
2. You’ll get stronger and have better endurance: another very obvious benefit, but lifting weights will help you become stronger. This can make even basic daily activities such as carrying groceries or lifting your kid much easier. Lifting heavier weights will build up muscle strength, while lifting lighter weights for more reps will build up muscle endurance.
3. Increasing bone density: weight training places stress on your bones (in a good way!). Your bones adapt to this stress by becoming denser and laying down more bone, making the bones stronger. Bone density naturally decreases as we age. It is important to include weight training as part of your exercise regime allowing you to keep your bones strong. It is especially important for females as osteoporosis is four times more common in women than it is in men.
4. Increases metabolism: weight training builds up muscle mass. It has been shown that increased muscle mass leads to a faster resting metabolism. This means as your muscle mass grows, so will the amount of calories you burn throughout the day, even when you’re not exercising.
5. Injury prevention: weight training keeps muscles strong. Strong muscles are able to support the body properly and minimise the chance of an injury occurring.
6. Improved balance: this is especially important for older adults. To properly balance the body, weight training allows the muscles to correctly support it by building up muscle strength. This allows older adults to go about their normal daily activities like walking or carrying groceries with a reduced risk of falling.
7. Improved posture: by strengthening the correct muscles, this will help your body to naturally hold better posture, as weak muscles will cause slumping of the back, rounding of the shoulders, and forward carriage of the head.
8. Improved mood and energy levels: weight training releases endorphins into your system. This is a natural way to boost your mood and lift your energy levels.
9. Chronic disease management: There have been studies that have shown that strength training has helped people manage their symptoms of some chronic diseases such as arthritis and type 2 diabetes.
10. Improved heart health: There are studies that have shown that strength training has lowered blood pressure and improved heart health.
11. Improved mental health: as you become stronger and start to meet goals you have set for yourself with your training, you will start to feel more confident and empowered, having a positive effect on your self-esteem and mental health.