The power of strength training is undeniable. There are so many reasons resistance training and weightlifting are good for your body and mind, but here, we’re breaking it down to the basics. Read on to learn how strength training boosts your body and brain in four big ways.
Improved body composition
One of the most obvious benefits of strength training is increased muscle mass and fat loss.
At Sweat 60, we use progressive resistance and overload to build stronger bodies. And no matter the tools you use to create resistance—bodyweight, bands, kettlebells, barbells, or free weights—your muscles will exert and rebuild themselves stronger.
A stronger body means more confidence and overall ease. With consistent strength training, everyday tasks take less energy, and you reduce your risk of injury.
Boosted metabolism
People say more muscle means more caloric burn, and they’re right. Resistance exercise increases muscle mass and elevates resting metabolic rate, or RMR—the number of calories your body burns at rest.
While cardio activities tend to burn calories during the active portion of the workout, strength training introduces an afterburn effect. Your body will keep burning calories at an elevated rate post-workout as it repairs muscles. The Mayo Clinic found at least two days of strength training per week can increase your resting calorie burn.
Stronger bones
Your muscles are a key part of your body’s support system, and they’re crucial to improving and maintaining bone health over time.
Weight-bearing exercises like squats, deadlifts, and lunges stimulate bone formation and density, which can help prevent osteoporosis—a weakness of the bones as we age, which, as Harvard Medical School reports, affects millions of Americans. Strength training at least a few times each week means stronger bones and fewer injuries.
Better mental health
Consistency in the gym isn’t just about building muscle and losing fat. Strength training is also a key component of a healthy lifestyle and balanced mindset.
Research tells us strength training improves mood, cognition, focus, energy, and self-esteem. Exercise releases endorphins, the neurotransmitters that lift our moods and relieve stress. The American Psychological Association and other organizations have linked exercise to reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved cognitive function, and better quality sleep.
From muscle tone and metabolic rate to bone density and mental clarity, strength training has holistic benefits for your entire system. Plus, Sweat 60’s motivating community of like-minded locals feels like a group of family and friends, and that kind of support is unbeatable.
Explore all the pros of our personalized approach to strength training, and book a class or reach out for a complimentary 1-on-1 session.
