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Sports Medicine / Fitness

Strength Training: Get Stronger, Leaner, and Healthier

By BS MediaTwitter Profile | Updated: Thursday, 22 December 2022 20:03 UTC
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Handsome Guy Working Out With Rubber Outdoors
Handsome Guy Working Out With Rubber Outdoors Freepik / @ibrak

If you are looking for ways in which strength training can help you get stronger, leaner, and healthier, then you have come to the right place. Let’s get started on learning how strength training can benefit us.

Strength and health come hand in hand with each other. As you age, your immune system tends to weaken and your lean muscle mass naturally declines. This is why strength training is important to your overall health and fitness.

Strength training can help you maintain and improve your muscle mass. This workout can be done at home or at your favorite gym. Your body fat percentage will rise if you do nothing to replace the lean muscle you lose over time.

Strength training is frequently associated with the use of barbells, dumbbells, and other gym equipment. However, if no fitness equipment is available, keep in mind that you can use your own body weight as well.

Although lifting weights is always associated with heavier weights, that doesn't mean that women can't do the same as men when it comes to lifting. In fact, an increasing number of women are enjoying and excelling at this sport nowadays.

How to Train for Strength Training

As a beginner, you should start with brief and simple strength training and fitness exercises. The trick is to use weights that are appropriate for you as a beginner. Don't use weights that are too light or too heavy for you.

  • As a general rule, consulting your doctor before beginning any strength or aerobic training will help you prevent any possible negative results. It is recommended to seek professional help with regard to your health. It is especially important if you have a history of chronic diseases or you're over the age of 40.

It is also advisable to seek professional recommendations, especially if you are returning from injury and are just starting all over again with your training routine. Regardless of your age, it is crucial that you take extra precautions if you have a prior injury to prevent unwanted results.

  • Don’t forget to do warm-up and cooling-off exercises every training session. This habit will help you prevent fitness-related accidents. Keep in mind that warm muscles are less prone to injuries. 5 to 10 minutes of warming up or cooling down, like walking, muscle stretching, or aerobic activity, will do.
  • Rest is equally important as the first two requirements for beginners. You can rest one full day between exercising each muscle group to allow your muscles to recover. Keep in mind that over-fatiguing your muscles will do no good for you.

You should also pay attention to your body. Pain is not a good sign, so if a strength training exercise causes you pain, stop at once. Consider trying a lighter weight or taking a break and returning in a few days.

  • It is recommended to choose a weight or resistance level that will fatigue your muscles after 12 to 15 repetitions. And then, you can gradually increase the weight when you can easily do more repetitions.

Benefits of Strength Training

Your strength will definitely improve over time as you incorporate strength training exercises into your fitness routine consistently. The most common strength training methods that people usually use are;

  • Bodyweight training
  • Free weights
  • Weight machines

1. You will get stronger.

The key to gaining strength is to increase the amount of weight you use gradually. The longer you wait to strengthen yourself through this type of training, the better the results will be. You'll be able to lift weights more easily as your muscle mass grows.

2. You will get leaner.

As you gain muscle and lose fat, you will appear leaner. Muscle takes up less space on your body than fat because it is denser. Strength training can help you manage weight and burn more calories. It can also help you improve your physique, giving you a more appealing and youthful appearance as your muscles become leaner.

3. You will get healthier.

Most strength training exercises are designed to improve your overall health. It can also aid in improving your cardiovascular health, preventing chronic diseases, lowering high blood pressure, and managing obesity.

Strength training can also improve your mental health significantly. It can boost your mood, help you manage stress, and prevent depression. It can make you feel relaxed and fulfilled, just like any other form of exercise.

A leaner and more muscular body can improve not only your physical but also your mental health. Feeling good about yourself can ultimately boost your confidence level.

Key Takeaway

If you want to get stronger, leaner, and healthier, strength training is an excellent way to achieve your fitness goals. You can do it using only your body weight through exercises such as planks, pushups, pullups, and squats, among others.

To avoid injuries during strength training, it is critical to use proper technique. If you're new to weight lifting, work with a trainer or other fitness professional to learn the proper form and technique. You'll get the most out of your workouts if you exercise at the right intensity for your health and fitness goals.

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