8 Key Benefits to Adding Strength Training to Your Routine
Once upon a time, cardio was all the rage, and it was regarded as though it was the only element to working out that mattered. The belief was also that strength training was exclusively for bodybuilders or people who wanted to look more bulky. Thankfully, this misconception has been debunked, and now it’s understood that strength training can do wonders for bolstering overall health, including lowering risk of injury and improving cardiovascular health. Today, our KC wellness center wants to take a closer look into these benefits and show you just what difference strength training can truly make!
BENEFIT #1: DECREASE BELLY FAT
When most people talk about wanting to lose weight, the first place they point to is their stomach. Belly fat has several causes , including a carb-heavy diet and dealing with chronic stress. If left unchecked, abdominal fat can lead to increased development of health risks, such as heart disease, liver disease, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancer. The good news is that strength training can help in this area! Research has shown that strength training can burn away abdominal fat, as well as decrease your overall body fat percentage.
BENEFIT #2: INCREASE BODY STRENGTH
While it might seem rather obvious, strength training really does help make your body stronger! Being overall stronger can come in handy during everyday life, such as hauling around moving boxes or rearranging your office space. Picking up those dumbbells and doing routine sets can really pay off!
BENEFIT #3: BOOST YOUR METABOLISM
If you want to burn more calories during your workout and boost your metabolism, you definitely need to give strength training a try. Not only does building muscle increase your metabolic rate, but strength training also increases your metabolism for up to 72 hours after your workout. This means that you are still burning calories at a heightened rate for several days after you’ve left the gym!
BENEFIT #4: DECREASE INJURY RISK
Here at our KC wellness center, we want all of our members to stay healthy and injury free. One of the best ways to do that is by adding strength training to your workout routine. As mentioned above, it helps your body become stronger overall while also increasing your range of motion, strengthening various muscles and ligaments and correcting muscle imbalances. By having a stronger core, back and leg muscles, you can lift with less risk of injury. This also translates into less risk of injury in your day to day activities.
BENEFIT #5: BOLSTER CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States? As harrowing a statistic that may be, it’s important to talk about. If decreasing your risk of heart disease is something you want to prioritize, then incorporating strength training into your wellness routine can really go a long way. Studies have shown that strength training helps to lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation and even lower LDL (aka the bad cholesterol) in the body. On top of all that, strength training can help you manage your body weight and blood sugars, both of which are huge factors in developing heart disease.
BENEFIT #6: UPLIFT YOUR MOOD
With shorter days and colder months right around the corner, many people are at risk for developing Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as SAD. This seasonal depression can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, anxious and otherwise just not yourself. Exercise, especially strength training, can be an excellent way to boost your mood and combat this seasonal disorder. Working out improves mood by increasing endorphins and serotonin in the brain, which are two key chemical messengers for feeling happier and more energetic.
BENEFIT #7: IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM
If you are in need of a confidence boost, then it’s definitely time to try out strength training! Setting goals, overcoming obstacles and improving your body’s strength and capabilities is one sure-fire way to feel more confident in your own skin. Even adding a little bicep bulk or setting a new personal record on the squat rack will help you to hold your head a little higher.
BENEFIT #8: A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
When you look better, feel better and have a decreased risk for heart disease and other medical issues, it’s no wonder that you will also enjoy a better quality of life. No matter what age you are, it’s never too early (or too late!) to focus on your health and well being. Strength training can be just one of many factors that help you to look and feel your very best at every stage of your life.
KC WELLNESS CENTER
Eager to give strength training a try but don’t know where to start? The first thing you need to do is sign up for a membership for our KC wellness center! Here at Woodside, we understand the value of diversifying your workout routine, which can include strength training, cardio, yoga and more. That is why we offer a wide variety of fitness classes that you can sign up for once you are a member. These courses are led by highly trained and enthusiastic instructors who want to bring their knowledge and experience to others. With 100+ courses offered each and every week, you’re sure to find something that suits you!
If you are after a more one-on-one approach to strength training, consider working with a personal trainer. Our KC wellness center employs a team of various personal trainers who are there to help you reach your goals and become the very best version of yourself. By taking a personalized approach, you can expect results and feel more confident in your future workouts.
Don’t miss out on all the benefits of strength training! Join Woodside today and see how a membership can change your health and well being.
