Summary: Here are 5 reasons why YOU should add strength training into your workout routine!
Most women tend to fall into the “cardio queen” category, and I certain did, especially back in college! I was so intimidated by the weights area of my gym that I avoided it all together. Not just the fact that I didn’t know what to do, but feeling embarrassed that guys were watching me and I’d look silly! Eventually I got over that fear and really learned to embrace strength training, because I knew building muscle would be good for my health. Here are 5 reasons why YOU should add strength training into your workout routine!
- Revving up your metabolism. Yes, cardio burns more calories than a strength training workout. However, the more muscle your body has, the faster your metabolism is ALL DAY. By adding muscle you are increasing your overall metabolism, which can help with shedding fat.
- Protect bone health. As people age, especially women, we start to lose muscle mass and bone density. By adding strength training into your routine, you can stop, prevent, and even reverse the loss of bone density.
- Energy booster and antidepressant. By adding strength training into your routine you boost the endorphins that you receive when working out, which puts you in a better mood. It has also been show to work as an antidepressant and help you sleep better, which improves your overall quality of life.
- It will help your heart health. Strength training, according to the American Heart Association, can help prevent heart disease and help reduce risks in individuals who already have heart disease. Other studies have even shown that weight lifting can lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.
- Help with athletic power. If you want to improve your fitness in other parts of your workout routine, such as running or another sport, adding in strength workouts can improve fast-twitch muscles, which are responsible for generating power.