There are so many benefits to adding resistance training into your workout regimen. Before we get into the benefits, I cannot highlight enough that you will not get bulky from adding resistance training with weights to your workout. It requires testosterone as well as a huge caloric surplus to get bulky. So let's look at the benefits of adding weights to your workout.
Decreased Abdominal Fat
We all can enjoy this benefit. By adding in resistance training (weights or bands), we burn calories and increase lean muscle. This helps to decrease belly fat. (keep reading to find out more benefits of increased lean muscle) (study)
Increased Cardiovascular Health
This one is especially important during our current COVID-19 pandemic (I know I'm dating this blog post by putting this in here). By decreasing abdominal fat (see prior benefit to resistance training) we decrease the fatty tissues that surround our internal organs. This benefit helps the heart and lungs move and work better. (here)
It has also been shown that when you add resistance training into your workout regimen that you increase the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the system.
Improved Control of Blood Sugars
Strength training has shown to improve the muscles' ability to absorb and use glucose. This is great news if you (or someone you know) is pre-diabetic, has high blood sugar, or has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes. (here)
Decreased Cancer Risk
Visceral fat (the fat we talked about in the abdomen and around organs) has a higher likelihood of developing cancer. This is due to the increased production of a substance called fibroplast growth factor-2 (FPF2). FPF2 is a known cancer triggering hormone. (here)
Increased Muscle Tone
By incorporating resistance training into your workout, you will increase your muscle tone. This can help you to look slimmer and tighten up your overall physique.
Increased Metabolism
Muscle requires more energy to build and maintain. So by incorporating resistance training and building muscle, your metabolism will increase, helping you to maintain body weight and body image!
Increased Bone Density
Adding resistance increases your bone density at any age. If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis then adding resistance training can help reverse the condition. This can also stave it off if you have a family history of these conditions.
Decreased Injury Risk
Strength training increased muscle and tendon fiber size. This makes them harder to strain and tear. By increasing the size of the fibers, you will see a decreased risk of injuries related to muscle strains, joint sprains, bone fractures, and muscle tears.
Increased Balance
Increased muscle density will show up in your balance. You will be less likely to fall when walking or being on unlevel surfaces (think hiking trails and gravel parking lots).
Improved Flexibility and Mobility
Studies have shown that strength training through full ranges of motion have shown improved flexibility and mobility compared to stretching by a factor of two. This means you are twice as likely to have improved flexibility from strength training than from stretching.
Stronger People are Harder to Kill
The benefits of strength training make you harder to kill. You are less likely to have injuries, you will improve, bone health, lung health, heart health. You will be less likely to have major illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. If you are not sure what to do, we would be happy to connect you with someone who can help you (personal trainers, group fitness classes, nutrition coaches, etc.). We cannot stress the importance of adding some sort of resistance training into your daily or weekly routine.
Reach out to us with any questions:
Phone: 425-202-5687
Email: info@bodyfixpt.com
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