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Weight lifting is a common physical activity used for
strength training. Strength training is a type of exercise which specializes in
resistance training to build muscle strength and size as well as increase
endurance. Besides building strong muscles, strength training offers several
other benefits for both men and women, and especially for people above the age
of 50. For individuals seeking to improve their overall health, fitness, and
wellness, strengthening their muscles should be a top priority.
First of all, strength training and building strong muscles
can help an individual lose weight. Exercising in general is a great way to
burn calories and improve fitness levels but, muscle tissue can burn as many as
15 times more calories per day than fat tissue, including during rest. Strength
training also improves your metabolism. Muscle tissue requires more calories
than fat to be maintained. After completing a strength training workout, the
body will have to work harder than normal to repair muscle strain, burning more
calories even long after finishing the workout.
Building strong muscles can also help protect an individual’s
joints, especially the back. An individual with a sedentary life, frequently
experiences joint and back pain as a result of muscle weakness that often leads
to stiffness. In a majority of cases, muscle weakness and stiffness can cause
injury if the mobility of the muscles reach beyond their range of motion. But,
when the muscles are stronger, the body places less pressure on the joints and
connective tissue during physical activities, including exerting activities
such as weight lifting. Building strong muscles to relieve strain on the joints
is also essential for preventing and/or treating arthritis. Also, building
stronger muscles can help improve an individual’s posture. Strong muscles
ultimately help pull the muscle tissues supporting the back, helping prevent a
slouched posture.
Strength training and building stronger muscles is also
healthy for the heart. Muscle tissue is able to perform with less amounts of oxygen,
in other words, the heart doesn’t need to pump harder when being active. Additionally,
building strong muscles can be good for managing blood pressure.
Strength training can greatly benefit individuals as they
age, helping to prevent injury or certain conditions. As we age, the body
undergoes natural physical changes, such as degeneration of the joints, causing
the development of certain health conditions, such as a degeneration of the
spine or arthritis. Maintaining and improving physical strength helps keep the
body strong and flexible, avoiding conditions as a result of muscle stiffness
and weakness in the long run.
Building strong muscles through strength training is
essential towards maintaining overall health, fitness, and wellness. It’s
crucial for individual’s who live more sedentary lives to become more active
and improve the condition of their muscles and other structures of their body. By
learning how to participate in strength training workouts, a majority of
individuals can ultimately benefit from their body’s natural functions in order
to prevent, improve, and maintain, their ideal fitness goals.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
