When people consider taking up strength and resistance training, typically it’s because they want to lose weight and get bigger. However, research has shown that strength and resistance training can benefit your body in more ways than just aesthetics.
Here are five mental and physical health benefits of strength and resistance training taht prove it benefits your body beyond basic fitness.
Strength and resistance training can make you less anxious. According to a study published by Sports Medicine in December of 2017, resistance exercise training improved anxiety symptoms in both participants with or without mental illness.
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Can Improve Symptoms of Depression
Recently many different studies have been looking into the effects of strength, resistance, and weight training on preventing and reducing depression symptoms. One of the surprising results of a study published in JAMA was that it didn’t matter how much weight training participants did. Participants who went to the gym twice a week had the same benefits of those who went five times a week. The results also didn’t change depending on how many repetitions of an exercise a participant did. Exercise in general increases your endorphins, improving your mood, so the phrase “every little bit helps” really is true in this case.
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Can Improve Osteoporosis Symptoms
Harvard Medical School reports strength training can help minimize your risk of fracture due to osteoporosis. Strength training plays a major part in slowing bone loss, with some studies showing it can even build bone. According to a October 2017 study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, strength training increased bone mass and strength in older adults.
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Can Help With Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Research from the Arthritis Foundation has shown strength training can ease painful symptoms. In a 2017 study, results showed strength training improves glycemic control and muscle strength in elderly patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
