Ten Reasons You Should Start Resistance Training

Zero reasons not to

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

1. You Will Lose More Mody Fat Than You Will on That Damn Treadmill

Did you know that when you exercise (cardio or strength training), calorie-burning is mostly occurring during the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)? RMR is the number of calories you burn during a 24-hour period independent of your physical activity. Cardio burns more calories during your workout, but increasing your lean body mass dramatically improves your RMR. In other words, strength training will allow you to burn more fat all day and improve body composition overall. Check out this West Virginia University study.

2. You Will Improve Your Mood and Decrease Anxiety and Depression

Why do so many of us hate the thought of exercise? Perhaps because the reasons why we are exercising take so long time to see benefits. Mood, however, is instant when exercising. Now, killing yourself and pushing yourself to exhaustion may not make you feel “happy,” but if you start slow and do it the right way, you will feel better emotionally. Studies have shown that exercise may be as beneficial as medication in treating anxiety and depression. It should at least be considered as an adjunct to medical treatment.

3. You Will Improve Your Cardiovascular Health More Effectively Than Jogging On That Treadmill

Some research shows that strength training may be as good if not better than cardio when it comes to improving certain markers of heart health.

• Lowers Blood pressure

• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides

• Lowers visceral fat (the fat found in the belly and around the heart which is most associated with heart attack and stroke).

• Improves sleep quality. Adequate sleep improves insulin sensitivity, decreases visceral fat, decreases inflammation, and accelerates metabolism. All of which contribute to heart health. The study showed that those that performed their workout later in the day (after 7:00 PM) slept the best. Great article by US News and World Report/Health

Read this very insightful article by Matthew Boutte; Weightlifting IS cardio.