Health Benefits of Weightlifting

Weightlifting offers tons of benefits beyond getting bigger, stronger muscles and toning your body. From burning more fat to preventing illness here’s a look at some of the benefits of weightlifting. 

Decreases Abdominal Fat

Fat tends to be stored mostly around the abdomen. With excess fat, especially visceral fat, there is an increased risk of developing heart disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. 

Research indicates that weightlifting and/or strength-training exercise help to reduce both overall and abdominal fat which in turn lowers your risk for certain diseases.

Improves Posture

Poor posture can be a result of weakened back, core, hip, or shoulder muscles. By targeting these areas in your weightlifting workouts, you’ll be able to straighten out your posture without even trying. 

Another amazing byproduct will be reducing back pain which often results from having poor posture.

Improves Heart Health

We mentioned above that strength training can reduce stomach fat which can help lower your risk of certain diseases, but there’s actually a bit more to it. Research indicates that regular strength training can decrease blood pressure, lower total and LDL cholesterol, as well as improve blood circulation by strengthening the heart and blood vessels 

It can also help you maintain a healthy body weight and manage your blood sugar levels, both of which are considered a risk factor for heart disease

Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Strength training can also help to lower your risk of developing diabetes and may help those that are living with the condition manage it better.

Skeletal muscle helps increase insulin sensitivity, while also helping to reduce blood sugar levels by removing glucose from the blood and sending it to muscle cells. As a result, many individuals will find that greater muscle mass may help improve blood sugar management

Decreases Your Risk of Falls

Many people aren’t aware of it, but strength training can help to lower your risk of falls since you’ll be better able to support your body. One study of adults over 60 indicated there was a 34% reduction in falls among those who participated in a fitness program that included resistance and functional training.

Makes Your Bones Stronger

Strength training is also crucial for your bone development. While weight-bearing workouts put some (temporary) stress on your bones, it sends a message to the bone-building cells in your body to take action and rebuild bones stronger. This in turn helps to reduce your risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and falls.

Promotes Better Flexibility & Mobility 

Strength training helps to increase joint range of motion which allows for greater mobility and flexibility. In fact, some studies have found that stretching with strength training found they were equally effective at increasing range of motion!

Lowers Your Risk of Injury

Strength training helps improve the strength, range of motion, and mobility of your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. All of this helps to reinforce strength around major joints like your knees, hips, and ankles which function to provide additional protection against injury.