There’s an old and persistent perception that strength training (which includes weightlifting, resistance training, etc) is a bit, well… self-absorbed, image-conscious, and just unnecessary. That may be absurd on the face, but you may even harbor some of these misconceptions in your own head. Think about it: how many times have you rolled your eyes as people discuss their bench numbers, written off the people huddled around the weight rack as “nothing but gym rats,” or nodded along to a news segment about how cardio is the “real” best exercise?
Now, we don’t want to dismiss anything here: cardio is awesome (even when it sucks), some people do take their numbers a bit too seriously, etc. But the truth is that strength training is a fantastic way to improve your overall health in a number of ways, and not just for professional bodybuilder-types–no matter who you are or where you are in life, odds are you can benefit from adding some form of strength training to your routine
We know strength training can help tone your muscles and help you lift heavier loads, but for those of you still reading, we wanted to give you 3 unexpected benefits to adding a bit of weightlifting to your training regimen:
Reduce your chance of injury
One of the most comprehensive benefits of strength training is that it can notably reduce your risk of injury in a number of ways. By building muscle strength, you’re increasing the amount of work your body can do without hurting itself. That one should be obvious, but there’s more than just that: Strength training also focuses deeply on proper form, which can correct muscle imbalances and help your body better maintain balance and avoid slips and falls. It even helps strengthen your bones, so if you do fall, the risk of breaking a bone is decreased.
Make your heart healthier
We hear it all the time: the best way to improve your heart health is to do cardio exercise that really gets the blood pumping. But studies have shown that resistance and strength training on their own can be an effective way to lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of hypertension, and even manage blood sugar levels. We’ll never turn down a good run, but hitting the weights deserves more credit than it gets for keeping your heart and your blood flow healthy!
Improve your overall mood
Okay, maybe this one isn’t that unexpected. After all, if you’re reading this, you’re probably part of a gym or fitness program and know fully well how good you can feel after a great workout. But let’s still talk about it: We know exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good in the moment, and that a healthier lifestyle can lead to a higher self-esteem, but did you know that strength training has been linked to notably decreased anxiety and increased overall mood? Turns out, a great way to get that weight off your shoulders is to, well, put some weight on your shoulders!
A training-first gym that helps you lift right
The only problem with strength training is that you really do need to do it right to see the full benefit–proper form and the right exercises for your body and your lifestyle are hugely important to help avoid injury and see the results you’re hoping for. That means that the best way to get into strength training is to have a great trainer to guide you through the motions, and that’s where we come in at The Gym MPLS. Our “training first” approach means that every member of our gym is strongly encouraged to partner with a professional trainer, who are given all the resources they need to do their job to the best of their abilities and help you get the most out of your workout.
Whatever your fitness goals and needs, we want to be your go-to resource and support. For more info on The Gym MPLS, our digital Apex Anywhere program, or our training-first approach, email us at info@thegymmpls.com or give us a call at (612) 405-3002. And while you’re at it, give us a follow on Instagram (@thegymmpls) for daily motivation, gym updates, and more.
