6 Surprising Benefits Of Weight Training You Didn't Know

Gaining muscle strength is important for both weight management as well as your appearance. It is applicable to both genders and is an extremely beneficial activity that adds bone mass and strength while also burning a lot of calories.

Also, you need not worry about becoming bulky or overly muscular since added muscles will only enhance your shape and make you look slimmer. Continue reading to find out the benefits of weight training.

1. Improves heart health- Cardio exercises aren’t the only kind of heart-healthy exercise. Weight training has been reported to lower blood pressure as effectively as a medication. The American Heart Association recommends at least two strength-training sessions for adults every week.

2. Improves metabolism- Researchers from Boston University have reported that lifting weights improves metabolism and overall health. Their findings suggested that weight training improved the body’s overall metabolism via chemical signals that promote fat-burning by various tissues like the liver, etc.

3. Better sleep quality- Individuals sleep better when they exercise regularly and those who do weight training aren’t any exception. Some researchers opine that weight training makes you fall asleep faster and since muscle growth and deep sleep are interdependent, it helps you sleep more deeply.

4. Builds up bone density- Weight training is one of the best ways to control bone loss and increase bone density. While bone density is increased, it also reduces the risk of fractures and protects you against osteoporosis. It also helps improve balance and reduces falls in older adults.

5. Improves your overall quality of life- As you gain body confidence, weight training will not only make you feel strong but also help you manage your weight and stay healthy. After all, simply having more muscles can make your body burn up extra calories, even when you stay idle.

6. Alleviates depression- A majority of individuals who lifted weights have reported to experience improvement in depression symptoms. One study has reported that people with mild to moderate depression who performed weight training two or more times per week experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms. The results also suggested that resistance training exercises might be beneficial for people with severe depressive symptoms.