Resistance training, weightlifting, strength training – regardless of what you call it, there are a ton of reasons to support adding this type of work into your current routine. To avoid any confusion, I will be calling it resistance training, but you can choose to call it whatever you’d like! There are so many benefits that come from resistance training (if we discussed all of them this post would be 5 pages long) so I have chosen three of my favorites that have nothing to do with your physical appearance.
1. Helps Develop Strong Bones
Studies have shown that people who perform resistance training have higher bone density. Bone density is important because as we age our bones slowly break down (especially in women, who have smaller bones to begin with). Resistance training stimulates the growth and repair of your bones, just like it does for your muscles, which can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Other things like nutrition, hormones, and age can also influence bone density.
2. Enhances Your Quality of Life
Have you ever tweaked your back picking up a heavy box? Or noticed your balance just isn’t what it used to be? The addition of resistance training could improve your ability to do everyday activities. When focusing on building and strengthening our muscles we also improve our balance and lower our risk of injury. This can help maintain your independence as you age and support an overall healthy lifestyle (regardless of your current age).
3. Builds Confidence
My favorite part about resistance training is that it builds your confidence. Striving to unlock a new skill or achieve a goal you have set for yourself is always exciting. However, after lots of hard work, achieving that goal feels amazing and can give you a real sense of pride. This confidence can then carry over to other things, outside of the gym, and even provide some positive mental health benefits.
Another great aspect of resistance training is that there is more than one way to do it. You can choose bodyweight movements, resistance bands, free weights, or to use weight machines. Don’t quite know where to start? Check out my post titled, 5 Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do at Home, for some full body movements you can start doing today.
