5 Reasons To Add Strength Training to Your Routine

Strength Training Boosts Your Metabolism

Around age 35, most people start to lose about one half to a pound of muscle per year, unless you are actively strength training. With more muscle, your body’s metabolism improves and you burn more calories, even at rest.

Strength Training Preserves Lean Muscle Mass and Bone Strength

As we age, we lose a percentage of the muscle mass we don’t use. Lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises will help to build muscle, increase bone mass, and keep joints healthy. You will also improve your functional fitness—those everyday movements you do will get easier. And a strong, healthy body will reduce your risk for serious injuries or falls.

Strength Training Will Make You Strong and Lean

Cardio workouts can help burn extra calories and get your heart in great cardiovascular condition, but strength training plays a bigger role in changing how your body looks. With increased muscle, you gain increased definition and become more lean than with cardio alone.

Keep in mind that spot reducing body fat isn’t possible. When you lose fat, you lose it all over. However, spot strengthening can work. Abdominal workouts, for example, can firm and tone your midsection, while biceps curls can define your biceps muscles.

Strength Training Improves Balance and Coordination

Strength training can improve your balance and coordination while reducing your risk of falling, which is especially important for older adults. With more muscle, you gain improved posture and stability. If you are challenging yourself with some mud runs or obstacle course races, your improved agility will pay off as well.

Strength Training Gives Your Body More Power

Weight training is resistance training—both isotonic movements (contracting muscles through a range of motion, like lifting dumbbells) and isometric movements (contracting your muscles against each other or a fixed object, like a plank or wall sit.) To build up our muscle power, our bodies need both of these forms of resistance training.

The body power you build with muscle strength can help you outside of the gym, too. If you have a stronger body, you can perform better in your chosen activity, whether it's on the tennis court or the ski slopes.

For example, plyometric workouts (those with jumping movements) will work on your body’s explosive power. Improved explosive power can make you a better runner or better on the basketball court. Strength training can unlock your body’s true potential for power.