Long-Term Health Benefits of Weightlifting

When you think of why people lift weights, the first thing that may come to mind is body sculpting; they do it to look good. And while that is definitely one of the main goals of weightlifting, several long-term health benefits can also be gained. For example, those who regularly engage in strength training have a lower risk of premature death, supporting the idea that such exercises boost wellness and longevity.

Getting toned, building muscles, and getting a six-pack are only the short-term benefits. There is so much more good happening “behind the scenes” in your body when you lift weights. The following are some of the most compelling long-term benefits that should get you pumped for your next session at Podium Gym CrossFit!

Being Stronger Makes Daily Tasks Easier

Getting stronger makes it simpler to carry large grocery bags, climb stairs, clean, play with your children (if you have them), etc.

Weightlifting Boosts Your Metabolism

Two ways that strength training boosts metabolism are:

• Building muscle allows you to burn extra calories even while at rest since muscle tissue is more metabolically efficient than fat tissue.
• Strength training increases your metabolic rate for up to 72 hours post-workout. This means your body will continue to burn extra calories for several days after a session at the gym.

Your Risk of Falling Decreases

Strength training reduces your chance of falling and getting hurt because it improves your ability to support your body. For example, a study involving 23,407 people over 60 years old found that those who participated in a fitness program fell 34% less often than those who did not.

You Are Less Likely to Get Injured

Lifting weights can help your muscles, tendons, and ligaments become stronger and more flexible. In addition, increased muscle mass in and around weight-bearing joints like the ankles, knees, and hips can help prevent injuries in those areas. So, even if you fall, you will be less likely to sustain an injury.

Weightlifting Strengthens Your Bones

By temporarily stressing your bones, weight-bearing activities activate your body’s bone-building cells to work on making your bones stronger. Strong bones lower your risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and falls, especially as you age.

How Much Weightlifting Do You Have to Do to Reap the Benefits?

A study conducted at Harvard University showed that as little as 30 to 60 minutes of strength training each week could have beneficial effects. Strength training for this length of time reduced the participants’ risk of death from all causes, particularly cancer and heart disease, by 10% to 20% compared to not doing any strength training. But to get the most benefits for living longer, you should also do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (cardio) each week.

Need help figuring out what exercises to do? No problem! The professional personal trainers at Podium Gym CrossFit are there for you daily. Please set up a meeting with one of them so that you can plan a weekly workout routine that works for you. You can also book training sessions with them to learn how to perform the weightlifting exercises accurately.