In addition to aerobic exercise and nutritional eating, strength training is perhaps the most common and impactful part of a healthy, active lifestyle. While lifting can seem daunting to the unconditioned, it is well worth the challenge due to a wide array of health and wellness perks.
Continuing from parts one and two, here is one more collection of noteworthy strength training benefits.
Boosting bone health
Strength training’s impact on muscular development and underlying biomechanical function is well-documented, and a key part of this process is skeletal health. A dedicated lifting regimen can boost bone density and overall function, which can safeguard the body from fracturing, bone degradation, and skeletal disease. This benefit is especially important for those balancing weight training with high-impact aerobic exercise like running or power walking, as such activities can increase the risk of bone-related injuries like stress fractures and sprains.
Improving self-confidence
When considering strength training’s numerous mental health benefits, one invaluable perk is a natural spike in self-confidence. Whether you’re aiming for an ambitious new max press on the bench or simply getting to the end of your first workout, lifting triggers pleasant chemical reactions in the brain while creating a sense of accomplishment – all of which can do wonders for a person’s self-image. Strength workouts always have a clear goal in mind (pushing, pulling, extending, etc.), and getting from point A to point B, in this regard, can feel very empowering over time.
Enhancing athletic performance
Most athletes practice some form of strength training, and that’s because such activity can benefit nearly all sports or fitness-based endeavors. From distance running and swimming to football and wrestling, a stronger, more capable physique can help almost any athlete reach their unique version of success in their desired concentration. Lifting offers an effective blend of conditioning, muscle fortification, and mental weathering, which keeps athletes healthy and fully prepared to improve.
Regulating mood
In addition to lifting’s self-image implications, mood regulation is another noted benefit of regular strength training. Like any consistent physical activity, lifting offers structure and routine to one’s daily life, balancing work-related and social stressors with a controllable constant. These characteristics can provide a sense of equilibrium, which naturally stabilizes mood by maintaining a healthy sense of perspective.
Strength training’s myriad benefits span many key aspects of physical and mental wellness, making it a great consideration for those aiming to improve their general quality of life.
