The Importance of Strength Training for Overall Fitness
January, 2024
A new year signals a new start for many people, and one of the most common resolutions is to begin exercising regularly.
This can be for a variety of reasons. It could be weight loss, trying to improve mental health, or simply to become fitter and more active. However, while there is often a focus on cardio exercises, strength training is important too.
In this first update of 2024, I want to show you how strength training is vital for your overall fitness.
What is strength training?
First things first: What do I mean by strength training?
Simply put, strength training is exercising to build and maintain muscle, such as using weights or resistance training.
Some people are put off by the thought of strength training because they don’t think they can lift much or will be a bit intimidated at the gym. These are valid concerns, but we all have to start somewhere.
There are a lot of online resources that can help you get started (or use the services of an experienced personal trainer!), and I want to show you the benefits of this type of exercise.
Benefits of strength training
Weight management
A significant benefit of strength training is weight management. This could be maintaining your existing weight, putting on some extra pounds in muscle, or even losing weight.
There is some debate as to whether cardio or lifting weights is better for weight loss – see my previous blog here – but strength training alongside a tailored nutritional intake plan will help to manage your weight.
Reduces falls
Stability and flexibility are greatly improved with this type of exercise.
Older people who are particularly vulnerable to falls can benefit massively from improving their balance, stability, and overall strength. You don’t need to necessarily hit the gym and start bench pressing, as many home workouts to improve your strength can work wonders in improving your overall fitness.
Increased cardiovascular health
While we often think about running, using the treadmill, or cross trainer to improve our cardiovascular health, strength training helps with this too.
By regularly using weights, you can lower your blood pressure and improve the circulation throughout your body. This can be beneficial to people who might not be physically able to take part in a lot of cardio exercise.
Strengthens your bones
Another part of your body that benefits from strength training is your bones.
When lifting weights, using resistance machines, or exercises to improve your stability, you are putting pressure on your bones. This forces your body to rebuild cells that help improve bone strength and can directly help to decrease the risk of suffering a fracture or developing certain bone conditions such as osteoporosis.
Why strength training matters
Lifting weights and resistance training is often overlooked because it’s often seen as a way to ‘bulk up’, which might not be everyone’s fitness aspiration. However, strength training has many more benefits than simply building muscle.
It helps to control your weight, improves stability to prevent falls and injuries, helps your heart, and strengthens your bones. This type of exercise is also great for your mental health.
If you are unsure of where to start or how strength training can help you, get in touch, and we can begin creating a plan to improve your overall fitness.
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