SEVEN REASONS WHY STRENGTH TRAINING IS LIKE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

SEVEN REASONS WHY STRENGTH TRAINING IS LIKE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

By wakeup-world.com - Sue Simonds

The Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon searched for years during the 16th century for the Fountain of Youth. He believed if he drank the mysterious waters from the legendary spring he would never grow old. Too bad no one told him about strength training — he could have stopped his search early.

Today, so many of us are looking for a magical quick-fix to maintain youthful appearance and vitality. Truth be told, there is no quick fix, but there is one remedy that has proven successful time and time again: strength training.

Strength training, defined as the use of resistance to muscular contraction to by using gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction, is the closest thing to the Fountain of Youth we’ll ever find. From strengthening your bones to benefiting your heart and improving your balance, no other single activity has more of a positive impact on your mind and body.

Here are just a few benefits of strength training:

1. Increases bone density

As with muscle, people lose up to one percent of their bone density per year after the age of thirty — an amount that doubles during menopause. This can lead to osteoporosis. Regular weight bearing exercise counteracts this.

2. Increases metabolism

Studies show that for each pound of muscle you gain, you will burn 35-50 more calories daily. Every muscle cell gained from weight lifting revs up your metabolism so you are constantly burning more calories; even while you are sleeping.

3. Promotes better posture

Not only does proper posture allow you to move with more freedom and make you feel more confident, it will also make you look slimmer.

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