Fitness experts recommend doing strength training exercises at least two times per week but only about a quarter of adults do so. For years we have been focused on cardio as a means to weight loss but is your daily cardio routine helping you excel or keeping you on a plateau?
Cardio is extremely important for many reasons - so don’t omit it entirely. But if you don’t incorporate resistance training you risk muscle atrophy, weakening of ligaments and tendons and mineral and strength loss in your bones.
If weight loss is your goal, you won’t burn nearly as many calories without adding in strength training. When you do a 30-minute cardio session, you burn calories for 30 minutes. But if you strength train for 30 minutes you will burn calories the rest of the day (also known as “excess post-exercise oxygen consumption or EPOC).
The more lean muscle mass you have, the more you will increase your basal metabolic rate or the number of calories you burn each day to maintain normal biological function.
Here are some of the benefits of strength training:
You’ll prevent injury and promote healing
Your athletic performance will be enhanced
Reduce your risk of disease
Experience a boost in your mood
Reduction in low back pain
Improve sleep quality
Many factors deter us from strength training:
Fear of injury
Fear of getting too bulky
Gym-timidation – or a lack of knowledge as to how to strength train
We understand that working with weights can be intimidating. The personal training team at Fitness 120 is well versed in preparing a resistance training program that will help you achieve your goals. Stop by to set up your complimentary session today!