The Benefits of Strength Training for Overall Health and Longevity

For my friends beginning their health journey or my veterans that have been in the game, let’s discuss strength training beyond its physical appeal. The benefits of strength training go beyond its name, aiding in our overall physical, mental and emotional well-being. As intimidating as it may seem, strength training doesn’t require much and the pros outweigh the cons every single time. Here is your motivation starter kit for results you could live with so we can be here for a good time and a long time.

WHAT IS STRENGTH TRAINING?
Strength-building exercises including but not limited to:

• Free weights (medicine balls, dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, etc.)

• Body weight exercises

• Body weight vests & ankle weights adding various amount of weight

• Resistance bands of varying tension levels and lengths

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
“One of the most striking effects of age is the involuntary loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, termed sarcopenia. Muscle mass decreases approximately 3–8% per decade after the age of 30 and this rate of decline is even higher after the age of 60,” stated by The National Library of Medicine.

Improved Quality of Life
Preserving muscle mass is crucial for optimizing your body's efficiency, enhancing day-to-day functional strength, and encouraging independent mobility throughout your life. Incorporating a regular regimen of strength training will ultimately translate to a reduction in chronic pain and improve your ability to do everyday activities for a higher quality of life.

Cognitive Function & Self-Esteem
Among the various forms of exercise, strength training particularly stands out for its proven ability to improve mood, increase cognitive function and foster greater self-esteem. According to scientific studies, women exhibited increased satisfaction with physical activity through engagement in strength training, contributing to a positive perception of exercise and overall health. 

Injury Prevention
Sometimes life can bring unexpected challenges, including accidents and injuries. Incorporating strength training into your routine not only serves as a proactive measure to safeguard your body against misalignment, but can enhance joint function and build bone, muscle, tendon and ligament strength. Combining strength training with resistance exercises promotes hypertrophy, or muscle mass growth, significantly reducing your susceptibility to injuries overall.