Benefits of Resistance Training

Posted On Nov 7, 2017 By Tom Holland

Benefits of Resistance Training

It matters not your age, sex or fitness level – Everyone can and should engage in some form of resistance training. Resistance training (also known as strength training) can include strength machines, free weights and body weight movements. You can do it right at home if you wish, it need not be complicated and you don't have to work out for an hour for it to be effective.

So exactly why should you engage in resistance training? What are the benefits? Here are five great reasons to get started:

  1. Metabolism Boost

    Building lean muscle through resistance training is one of the only truly natural ways to boost your metabolism. Why? Muscle is a metabolically active tissue, more so than than fat. That means that the more lean muscle you have the more calories you burn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without doing anything. So you can actually speed up your metabolism and rev up your fat-burning engine by building lean muscle through resistance training.

  2. Injury-Prevention

    Resistance training also helps "bulletproof" your body, fixing muscular weaknesses and imbalances that often lead to injury. This is especially true with your knee, shoulder and hips joints, as well as your lower back. These are all areas where people commonly experience pain and discomfort – Issues that can be avoided by means of simple resistance training. The stronger the muscles are that surround and support these joints, the more stable and less likely they are to cause you problems.

  3. Enhance Activities Of Daily Living

    Carrying your groceries. Gardening. Playing with your children. Putting your suitcase in the overhead compartment on a plane. Recreational sports. Resistance training allows you to do all of these activities and more with greater ease and less discomfort. The stronger you are the more you will enjoy the most basic daily tasks and activities, many of which you take for granted until you experience muscle-related issues.

  4. Anti-Aging Effects

    Engaging in resistance training will keep your body young and vibrant, allowing you to enjoy your later years to their fullest. Strengthening your muscles helps you to maintain your balance and coordination, making you less likely to encounter the all-too-common falls that so many experience later in life. And if you do happen to take a tumble? You will be less likely to have to deal with issues such as a hip fracture – Resistance training not only strengthens muscles, it strengthens your bones as well. Resistance training is truly one of life's fountains of youth.

  5. Improved Appearance

    Last but surely not least, resistance training will improve your appearance by tightening, toning and tapering your body. Your clothes will fit better. Your "problem areas" will become less problematic.

Once again, resistance training does not have to be complex or time consuming for it to be effective. In fact, keeping the exercises simple and focusing on short, consistent sessions is one of the best approaches for long-term success.