The Strength Training Advantage

Strength Training can be used for more than just bulking up and looking good.  It has countless health benifits from physical to mental, that will improve your overall health and quality of life.  This type of exercise promotes strength and durability to the musculoskelital system, as well as symmetry and function.  Strength training is a useful tool that can be used in any training program from young old, for any fitness level.  Though research and personal experience these are some of my findings:

Injury prevention- There are some muscle groups that are often under developed due to lack of stimulation in everyday life.  When opposing muscle groups are off balance, your body is more prone to injury.  Strenght training works to balance and strengthen muscles, ligaments and bones, greatly ruducing chance of injury.

Healthy Heart- Any exercise you do will get your heart rate up.  This is how you strengthen your heart muscle, through exercise.  This can help prevent heart disease, and other cardio problems.  Studies on cardiac patience have shown increased aerobic capicities by adding a strength routine, three days a week to their rehab program.

Strong Bones- Around the age of 30, bone mass starts to decrease at a rate of about 1% per year.  Strength training is the best way to improve bone density and help fight the aging proccess.  In some cases it has shown that osteoporosis and arthritis conditions have been impoved by some weight lifting and strength training

Posture- If you have bad posture it is possible that you have underdeveloped shoulder or back muscles.  With stronger muscles and ligaments your body will automaticly begin to straiten itself out and be able to hold your wieght properly.  The stonger you muscles the taller you"ll stand.

Feel Good- A havard study explains that bafter 10 weeks of strength training, symtoms of clinical depression were reduced more successfuly then standard therapy.  Other studies show that exercise releases natural endorphans into the body giving a scence of well being.  That combined with the saticfaction of knowing you are stronger and healthier can greatly improve your outlook on life.

In conclusion, strength training will help you to look better, feel better, and function better.  The hardest part is getting started.  Once you have, you will begin to notice all the benefits for yourself and you"ll want to keep with it.