5 Surprising Reasons You Should Strength Train (That Have Nothing To Do With Weight Management)!

I’m sure you aren’t shocked to hear that strength training (also called resistance training) is beneficial for your health. And maybe you’ve heard it can be a terrific tool for weight management. While this can be true, and your own health care practitioner may stress the importance of weight management when it comes to protecting against a series of adverse health conditions, I want to take some time to sing the praises of so many other incredible benefits of strength training that have nothing to do with body size. Besides, we spend an awful lot of time thinking about weight in the world we live in. Don’t you think we deserve a break?

Bone And Joint Protection

As we age, our bone mineral density decreases. For women, this begins to happen as early as 30-35 years old. With decreased bone density we are at greater risk for conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis that can lead to bone fractures and other injuries, as well as constant discomfort and/or pain. By loading the muscles, you stimulate cells in the bone to create structural proteins that force minerals to the bones.

Lowered Injury Risk

You might be able to see from the improved bone and joint health how strength training can lower your risk of injury. Along with great bone health, resistance training, i.e loading muscle contractions, increases force production making your movement more powerful. The strong muscles you are building work to help you stabilize your body in a variety of positions, improving your balance. You can withstand greater physical demands and have improved energy and efficiency that helps your body stay safe and injury free through all you do!

Improved Brain Health

Who doesn’t want to feel a little smarter? Studies have shown improvement in cognitive testing after following a strength training program. This could be due to increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain. A variety of forms of exercise have been shown to improve neuroplasticity, meaning the brain is making new connections.

Libido Boost

And we are just getting to the good stuff! Strength training has been shown to increase sex drive. This is likely due to the increase in testosterone production. And we know activation of the sympathetic nervous system, what happens as a result of an acute bout of resistance training, can trigger arousal. Not to mention, improved body confidence is shown to improve overall sexual satisfaction.

Increased Lifespan

And then there is the big one: the connection strength training may have to lengthening your lifespan. It turns out that one of the greatest predictors of lifespan is grip strength. Individuals with greater grip strength live longer and we know that strength training can increase our grip strength. So load up those farmer’s carries, deadlifts, and rows and keep practicing your pull ups if you are looking to live a long life. (I know I don’t need another reason to spend time doing pull ups!)

Sometimes our health and wellness mindset goes immediately to weight loss and body composition change, but there are so many other reasons to make time for strength training. Just remember, start small, take it one step at a time, and seek out a certified coach or trainer if you have questions or need additional guidance. Happy lifting!