Strength training is awesome and should be part of your regular workout routine. Here’s why:
- Strength training makes you stronger and fitter.
The only way to build muscle is to stimulate your muscle fibers by progressively increasing weight. If you could press something overhead more than 12 times, it’s time to go up in weight. So I am sorry to tell you that your 150 bodyweight squats a day aren’t helping you build muscle or get much stronger (I am not speaking on endurance here.) - Strength training protects bone health, joints and muscle mass.
Around age 30 we begin losing about 3-5% of our muscle mass each year if we do not strength train. This soft tissue is what protects our bones and joints. Rather than relying on structure, we can use strong muscles to make sure we have good posture and move our bodies safely.
Do you want to rely on a walker or something to assist you as you get up and down from the toilet when you are 80? Lifting and doing resistance training can help with this! - Strength training help you lose fat for good.
When you lift weights you build muscle which is more “calorically expensive,” which basically means your body needs more calories to fuel it. So if you like to eat, lift some weights and you will have an easier time living lean. - Strength training help you develop better body mechanics and coordination.
When you lift weights you increase body awareness and create a neuromuscular connection. Lifting weights directly correlates to increased coordination. Don’t be surprised if simple skills like throwing/ catching or your overall coordination increases as you lift more. - Strength training helps manage chronic disease and other illness.
Strength training has been shown to improve arthritis and fibormyalgia pain; strength training has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity which assists with diabetes, PCOS and other hormonal issues. Strength training helps with fat loss which may decrease risk of complications due to heart disease. Strength training boosts immune function which helps with everything! - Strength training boosts mood and energy.
Strength training boosts endorphins, dopamine and serotonin which improves mood and increases energy. There are neurochemical responses that take place in the brain after a lifting workout that have been linked with more overall happiness. - Strength training helps burn more calories overall.
Strength training boosts metabolism immediately after your workout and overall during the day. When you have more muscle on your body, your body burns more calories, so if you like to eat, then you should LOVE to lift!
Do you have a strength training program? I can help!
Go to KyraWilliamsFitness.com/signup and join to receive daily strength training workouts you can do on your own to receive all these benefits!
Your Coach,
Kyra