Lifting weights sometimes has a bit of an image problem. Picturing bulky men in leotards? That’s not all weight lifting is about! While cardio is always great, adding weights to your workout routine is hugely beneficial for your health. Here are a few reasons why!
Increases Strength
The most obvious benefit of lifting weights is that it increases your strength. The extra weight puts stress on your muscles, causing them to break down and rebuild stronger. This happens much more quickly with weight training than doing activities without weights because of the extra stress. You also don’t need to be doing very hardcore workouts to see results from lifting weights. 25-30 minute workouts a few times a week will do the trick. With consistent weight training, you’ll notice yourself becoming stronger quickly. Some people even take up weightlifting as a sport to see how strong they can get.
Improves Mental Health
Everybody struggles with mental health sometimes, and weight training is another great way to make you feel better when you’re down. Because of the difficulty of weight training, it takes intense focus. This makes it difficult to think about the things that are stressing you out in your everyday life. Weight training is a great way to let off steam. Weight lifting also produces endorphins which make you happier and lower stress. Additionally, weightlifting can improve your body image, which can also improve your mental health. Weight training tones and sculpts your muscles, giving you not only more strength but a nice physique.
Improves Heart Health
If your heart isn’t healthy, you’re not healthy. Your heart is what keeps you alive, so it’s important to take your heart health seriously. Another wonderful benefit of weight lifting is that it lowers the risk of heart attacks. All exercise is good for your heart, but weight lifting specifically relieves pressure on your arteries. This alleviates the stress on the heart, allowing it to pump healthily for a long time. It also lowers your risk of a stroke by 40-70 percent. In fact, studies found that weight lifting was better at reducing the dangerous heart fat than cardiovascular exercise.
Weight lifting isn’t just for bulking up. Adding weights into your workout routine is beneficial for all aspects of your health. If you’ve been focusing on cardio, and you’re looking for a way to boost your workouts, incorporate Lifting Weights.
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