Only 16% of women undertake regular resistance or strength training, but that means the rest of you are missing out. Adding resistance to your workout helps you to improve your fitness levels, strength and tone, and you don’t have to worry about turning into Arnie overnight – you don’t have enough testosterone to get big and bulky! Still don’t believe me? Here are five things that resistance training can help you to do.
1. Maintain your weight. Though you may think it’s all about aerobic exercise for weight loss wellness, strength training increases your metabolic rate, because it increases your lean muscle mass. This means that your body will continue to burn calories – even when you’re sitting down and watching Game of Thrones.
2. Improve your posture. Do you spend all day sitting in front of a computer? You’re not slouching home from work because you’ve had a hard day – your desk is making you do that. Sitting all day tightens the muscles on the front of your body, which pulls your chest and shoulders down and your head forward. However, resistance training – especially when focused on your trapezius (the web of fibres that extend across your shoulder blades) – helps to strengthen your core as well as your upper back.
3. Increase your bone density. Your bones tend to become more thin and brittle as you age, which puts your wellbeing at risk for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. However, research shows that regular strength training will increase your bone density and prevent these diseases – especially if you throw in a glass of milk now and then.
4. Look better. Whether you hate your bingo wings or your saggy bum, resistance training can help to reshape and tone problem areas. Working on your chest area can make your bust look perkier, while core-toning moves will contribute to shrinking inches from your waist.
5. Make your life easier. Don’t you want to feel strong and capable on a day-to-day basis? If you have stronger muscles, you’ll be better equipped for anything life throws at you. Lugging shopping home from the supermarket? Not a problem. Handbag full of stuff? Easy peasy. Boyfriend challenge you to an arm wrestle? Why not! Ok, you may not win that one, but at least it will last longer than 10 seconds this time!