Although many people directly associate weight training (the act of lifting weights) with body builders and men trying to get “buff”, weight training is actually an activity that benefits both genders for a multitude of reasons.

1. Muscle Combats Fat

Your flesh is composed of a combination of muscle and fat, so it makes sense that when you gain more of one, you may be replacing some of the other. Furthermore, having muscle fights off fat by burning unnecessary calories throughout the day.

Studies have proven that having higher levels of type II muscle fibers (that one gains from lifting weights) improves metabolic function.

2. Weight-lifting Reduces Your Symptoms of Depression

It’s becoming increasingly common knowledge that exercise improves your mood. In general, people tend to give the most credit to endorphins released through running. The truth of the matter is that weight lifting can actually give you the same results!

Working up a sweat and getting your heart-rate up will help distract you from any problems you may be having, as well as improve your mood.

3. Fight Bone Loss

As we age, our bodies begin to deteriorate- in particular we lose muscle and bone mass. This weakening of our bones makes us more susceptible to harmful breaks and fractures.

Weight lifting can help stave off this deterioration by triggering your bones and muscles to adapt to stress. When you weight train, you are signaling your body to reinforce your muscles and bones to strengthen. Weight training actually signals your body to deposit more bone where you need it!

4. Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels

Our bodies contain two different types of muscle: red muscle and white muscle. Red muscle, which uses fat oxidization to generate energy can be found in endurance athletes, while white muscle is more prevalent in weightlifters.

Research has shown that white muscle aids in lowering blood glucose levels because it uses glucose for energy. Weight lifting can thus help you prevent blood sugar spikes by regulating the amount of sugar contained in your body.

5. It Will Strengthen You Mentally

Weightlifting requires mental fortitude. When you weight train, you have to push yourself to overcome the discomfort or strain to achieve your goals. When you feel overwhelmed by the challenge and you start to feel the burn, you have to let your mind push you the extra mile.

In weight training, you must use your mind to overcome the physical challenges you will face, and this same mental “toughness” can be applied in other areas of your life as well.

6. Your Body Confidence Will Improve

Increasing your muscle tone will improve your confidence by making you feel good about your body. Contrary to popular belief, weight training does not lead to women looking “bulky” unless they specifically stick to a bodybuilding diet and train intensively. More women should set aside a day or two from their weekly routine for weight training. No matter how much cardio you do, you won’t get the definition you’re looking for without a bit of weight training!

For men, building muscle comes more easily than with women, and weight training is the perfect way to tone up or bulk up the areas of their body that they want depending on the weights and level of intensity.

By Destiny Kanu