From the Mayo Clinic:
Strength training is an important part of an overall fitness program. Here's what strength training can do for you.
- Develop strong bones. By stressing your bones, strength training can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Manage your weight. Strength training can help you manage or lose weight, and it can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories.
- Enhance your quality of life. Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury. Building muscle also can contribute to better balance and may reduce your risk of falls. This can help you maintain independence as you age.
- Manage chronic conditions. Strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, obesity, heart disease, depression and diabetes.
- Sharpen your thinking skills. Some research suggests that regular strength training and aerobic exercise may help improve thinking and learning skills for older adults
Read the full article HERE
As for me, personally, strength training has improved my ability to not get injured at work, reduced my blood pressure, improved my overall mobility, and increased my confidence.
Strength training does require commitment.
In order to achieve improvement in health and mobility through strength training, you will need to commit to 30 - 60 minutes of strengthening major muscle groups at least twice a week. Here is an article from Harvard School of Public Health on duration and benefits of strength training.
