Benefits of s
trength training
Strength training isn’t just for the fitness fanatical, bodybuilding, wannabe Arnold Schwarzenegger types. Strength training promotes many health benefits that could help each and every one of us in our everyday lives. Whether you’re a 30-year-old avid gym goer, a 50 year old busy professional or retired and in your 70’s learn how strength training can benefit you today.
1. Build Lean Muscle
Strength training not only helps the body become stronger but also develops lean muscle mass to go along with it. This muscle is lean, hard, strong and functional which sets the foundation for you to be strong for life.
2. Improve Posture
Many movements incorporated in strength training allow the body to return to its natural position.
Strength training performed with correct form teaches you to place your head in a neutral position pull the shoulders back and down, whilst keeping your chest up and placing your hips in a neutral position. Life doesn’t need to slow down as you get older. Correct your posture and avoid unnecessary injuries by simply with strength training exercises.
3. Increased Muscle Fibre Recruitment
Strength training is known to improve muscle fibre recruitment due to the demand put on the neuromuscular system. This means that even if you don’t gain muscle mass the muscle will still be able to use more fibres and generate more force. This increase occurs mostly between weeks 8 and 20 of training. From then on the neuromuscular system will have adapted well and continue to improve but at a much slower rate.
4. Core Strength
During many strength exercises, the core is needed to stabilise the body as a whole, enabling the core to strengthen due to the stimulus placed on it during training. Lifts like squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bent over row and lunges all require the core to stabilise the body during the movements. With a strong core, you are able to translate force between the upper and lower body effectively, preventing injury and maintaining correct posture. This sort of strength can make everyday life that little bit easier.
5. Raise Resting Metabolic Rate
As muscle mass increases you’re resting metabolic rate goes up with it. Why? This is because kilogram of muscle burns around 3 times more calories than a kilogram of fat per day even when sat down, and up to 20 times more when you’re physically active. Gain more muscle, stay active and burn more calories. It’s as simple as that.
6. Reduce Risk of Injury
Strength training increases the flexibility and mobility of the joints and surrounding muscles strengthens the body as a whole and improves movement quality. Whether it’s carrying your shopping bags in from the car, taking part in sports on the weekend or playing with your children, strength training will prepare the body for different movement patterns and reduce the chances of you getting injured on a daily basis.
