We all know how hard it can be to keep your exercise routine going sometimes. One reason people may not strength train is because they are not sure of what to do at home or at the gym. With benefits like toning muscles, burning calories, feeling stronger and helping bone density, resistance training is a recommended part of everyone’s routine. Here is a list of additional benefits to weightlifting you may not know about.

1. A better metabolism: Increase in Type II muscle fibers can reduce body fat without additional changes like dieting.
2. Improved mood and confidence: The endorphins can help us feel better, but resistance training can also work against depression. With physical changes we also feel more confident in our body image and our daily activities.
3. Lower risk of diabetes: In a study where participants got 150 minutes of weightlifting per week, they lowered their risk of diabetes by 34 percent.
4. Heart health: Lifting weights can reduce your blood pressure by 20 percent, and the effects can last up to 24 hours long. That is a similar benefit to taking a blood pressure medication each day.
5. Less back pain: Participants who lifted weight have much stronger cores, and their core strength lowers their instances of low back pain.

The list of benefits goes on and on. Join Health Coach Bonnie to learn more about the advantages of strength training and how to get started during the upcoming Physical Activity program “Why Should I Strength Train and How Do I Do It?” on December 15 at noon. Click here to register.

*Not all exercises are suitable for everyone. If you have questions about what exercises are safe for you, please consult your physician.