Strength Training? Why is it so important? Well we all know that regular exercise helps prevents many of the common ailments and has a positive impact on our mental wellbeing but a variety of exercise methods are important to achieve this with strength training being at the top end of the list.

Focusing just on cardiovascular exercise is selling yourself short and will prevent you gaining all of the health benefits you should be receiving from your regular exercise routine. So why is strength training overlooked by so many people? Well some woman are reported as thinking they will bulk up and look manly “I don’t want Madonna arms!”, the elderly might worry about strength training being too strenuous or unsafe, and parents might think that strength training is too risky for their children why they are not fully developed into their adult bodies.

The reality is that almost everyone, regardless of their gender or age benefits from strength training. Working your muscles with weight baring exercises will help boost your metabolism, improve muscle condition and improve your all-round health and wellbeing. In addition to this you will also achieve and maintain a healthier bone mass, lose excess fat and prevent age-related muscle loss. Lets take a close look at three of the key benefits here;

Boost Metabolism

As you increase your muscle mass from strength training you boost your resting metabolism which helps your body burn more calories throughout the day and night.

Improve Muscle Condition

As well as looking good, conditioned muscles will help you reduce any risk of injury. Improved muscle condition across your whole body will ensure you are less likely to experience joint or muscle strains or tears while you exercise.

Improve All Round Health

Strength training can be tough at times but the positive affects that stronger muscles and joints will give you, plus that ‘I’m awesome!’ feeling as your strut out of the gym will have an all round positive impact on your general health and well being!

So as you can see, the benefits of strength training are broad and vast so try fitting in 2 to 3 strength training session a week at the gym as part of your overall exercise routine.