Great Reasons to Strength Train

Do you hope to maintain quality of life as you grow older? Now you can do more than just hope for a strong, mobile body as you age. It is possible to turn back the clock! The myth is that as we grow older we get much weaker and suffer more aches and pains and that losing muscle and gaining fat are just part of the aging process. The fact is that many of the symptoms of old age are really symptoms of inactivity. You can slow and possibly even reverse many of the symptoms associated with aging and Strength Training is the weapon of choice for fighting the physical declines associated with aging. Strength training is extremely important in combating declines in muscle mass, bone density, and metabolism along many other positive results. Here are just a few of the positive results that have been shown to occur with regular strength training:

• Reduce Muscle Loss and Increase Muscle Mass – Adults who do not strength train lose between 5-7 pounds of muscle every decade. Standard strength training (25 minutes 3 times/week) has been shown to increase muscle mass by three pounds over an eight week period in both men and women.
• Avoid Metabolic Rate Reduction – Muscle loss is accompanied by a reduction in resting metabolism (2-5% per decade). Because regular strength training prevents muscle loss, it also prevents the accompanying decrease in resting metabolic rate and the gradual weight loss that accompanies it. Regular strength training increases metabolic rate.
• Reduce Body Fat – Studies show that a basic strength training program resulted in 3 pounds more muscle, 4 pounds less fat, even with 370 more calories per day food intake!
• Increase Bone Mineral Density – This reduces the chances of osteoporosis. Recent studies show that strength training at any age can actually add bone, not just slow its loss!
• Improve Glucose Metabolism – This can reduce the chances of adult onset diabetes.
• Increase Gastrointestinal Transit Time – Thus reducing the risk of colon cancer
• Reduce Resting Blood Pressure – A combination of strength training and aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
• Reduce Low Back Pain – Years of research have shown that strong low-back muscles are less likely to be injured than weaker low-back muscles.
• Reduce Arthritis Pain– Studies have shown that sensible strength training also eases the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Not only does strength training help to lubricate and nourish the joint, it also strengthens the muscles around the joint, providing it with greater support.

These are nine very good physiological reasons to perform regular strength exercise. However, it is important to realize that proper strength training also helps us to look better, feel better and function better in our daily lives. HealthStyles Exercise Equipment has the latest in cutting edge strength training equipment from free weights, to home gyms, to functional trainers to exercise bands. Stop by today and have our fitness specialists help you determine the strength equipment that will fit your space, budget and will provide the workout routine best for you!