In today’s society, more Americans are obese or overweight than are not. This is becoming an epidemic. People are lazy and do not want to put in the time and effort it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It takes a lot of work, but with the proper nutrition and exercise routine, it is possible to achieve and maintain a great physical and mental shape.

One of the most important parts of this healthy lifestyle routine is resistance training. First of all, resistance training is any type of exercise that causes muscles to work against an opposing force. Lifting weights is a form of resistance training that brings numerous benefits to the body. One of the best things about lifting weights is that anybody can partake in it and receive the benefits from it. Aside from the pure muscle and strength, resistance training poses benefits to the body that have just recently been recognized.

Lifting weights has always been viewed as a means of adding muscle mass and gaining strength. While lifting weights, your muscles are going through processes that you cannot see. The muscles are being microscopically torn during the exercise and repairing themselves during rest. This process, known as hypertrophy, is the main reason why you see your muscles increasing in size during resistance training. It is noted by the American Heart Association that moderate-to-high-intensity resistance training, even as little as 2-3 times per week for 3 to 6 months, can improve muscular strength in men and women anywhere between 25% and 100%.

Your muscles are not the only parts of your body that increase in size. Resistance training also allows your bones to grow. Because your bones are growing and getting stronger, the risk of developing osteoporosis as you age is decreased significantly. Osteoporosis is the weakening of the bones that usually leads to easier fracture. By lifting weights and putting pressure on your bones and surrounding muscles, you are giving your bones the opportunity to grow and get stronger by increasing your bone mineral density (BMD). This higher level of BMD is what prevents osteoporosis. Studies have shown that resistance training can even repair bones that have already seen significant bone loss.

Another benefit of resistance training is the ability to tone your muscles by burning excess fat. While you are performing exercises, you are burning a tremendous amount of calories and your metabolism is working faster. Not only does your metabolism increase during the actual performance of the exercise, but once again during rest, because your muscles are working to repair themselves. You burn approximately 20% more calories at rest when lifting weights than if you were not to. When your metabolic system is working at a faster rate, you are gaining in two ways: you are becoming leaner by losing body fat, and your muscles are becoming firmer. With this excess weight being dropped from your body, you are becoming a much healthier individual.

One of, if not the most important aspect of resistance training is the overall strengthening of your cardiovascular system. The heart is the center of your body, and if it is not healthy, it is impossible for you to be. According to the American Heart Association, resistance training can help prevent people from developing chronic cardiac ailments.

The physical benefits of resistance training are numerous. However, there is a certain psychological aspect that is very important as well. Lifting weights can make you feel better mentally because you look better physically, and releases endorphins, which increase your overall mood development. Once people start on a workout routine, they will begin to notice changes in their body. These changes will raise people’s self-esteem, and make them gain more confidence. This increase in confidence along with the added physical benefits proves why lifting weights is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle.