As you move through your fitness program, one type of exercise you’ll want to ensure is in place is weight training.  Weight training offers a mountain of benefits, is always changing so helps keep you interested in exercise, and can even slow the process of aging.

 Curious to know more?

Let’s look at the real reasons why weight training, also known as strength training or resistance training, should be at the top of your to-do list. 

 Increased Lean Muscle Mass 

The first big benefit you’ll get from weight training is an increase in your lean muscle mass. Provided you are giving the body the nutrients to support muscle building, you’ll soon see you body toning up and looking great.  

In addition to this, lean muscle increases the rate at which your body burns fat at rest, so this can really help with controlling your body weight. 

Weight training can NEVER make a woman build muscle like a man. This is because women’s bodies produce very little testosterone which only allows but so much muscle growth in women. 

Increased Bone Density 

Along with enhanced lean muscle mass, you’ll also see improved bone density as well. Those who weight train on a regular basis build their bones up and are less likely to fracture down the road. Weight training greatly decreases your risk for osteoporosis. 

Enhanced Functional Strength 

Functional strength is something else you’ll receive from a good weight training program. This refers to the fact that all that weight training will make everyday activities feel that much easier. Whether this is carrying groceries in from the car or moving your couch in your living room. You’ll do it with ease after a few months of consistent weight training. 

Stress Relief 

Weight training is a perfect method of controlling stress.  If you’re feeling anxious, stress, or even just feeling down, one trip to the gym for some free weights should help remedy that. Weight training will cause the release of positive ‘feel-good’ endorphins, which will help calm the stress and put you in a better mood. 

Improved Heart Health 

When most people think of heart health, they tend to immediately think of cardio training. But, weight training, when done at a good intensity with shorter rest periods can also be an ideal way to improve your heart health. One set of walking lunges for instance will quickly show you just how much your cardiovascular system comes into play for this type of workout. 

 Lower Blood Pressure Levels 

Along with improving your heart health, you can also expect to see a decrease in your blood pressure levels. While blood pressure will go up while you are training weights, later on after you are done your workout you’ll find it starts to decrease. 

This is an important point to note for those who are at risk for cardiovascular disease. 

 Stronger Immune System 

Finally, after months of weight training, you’ll also be building your immune system up. Your body will become trained to handle stress better and if ever faced with illness, you should be able to recover faster and more efficiently than those who don’t strength train. 

So there you have the key benefits to know about strength training. To reap all these benefits, be sure to lift a weight that challenges you – preferably one that has you fatiguing within the 8-12 rep range on most exercises. This will help you provide that overloading stimulus on the muscles that’s needed for results to occur.