Four Surprising Benefits of Resistance Training
June 10, 2024
Some of the main reasons why people start lifting weights is to build muscle, improve functional mobility, help with fat loss, and gain strength. Once people get started and stay consistent, they are often surprised to find that resistance training has other benefits as well. Here are those surprising benefits that are not as well-known.
Cognitive Effects
Exercise in general has a profound positive effect on cognitive function. Working out increases levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the brain. BDNF acts like a brain “fertilizer” promoting the growth of brain tissue and it helps preserve the health of your brain. High levels of BDNF have been connected with lower rates of cognitive decline and brain-related diseases. Studies consistently connect physical activity with improved cognition.
Resistance training is particularly special in brain-boosting because of its benefits for proprioception. This is your awareness of your body in space. Due to the thousands of resistance training exercises and the variations of each that are available, you can train your body in an almost infinite combination of directions, speeds, and ranges of motion. This, in turn, trains your brain as much as it trains your muscles.
Healthy Libido
Resistance training is also great for increasing sex drive. When it comes to positively impacting testosterone levels, resistance training is in a league of its own. Testosterone is the main libido-driving hormone. Most importantly, resistance training shapes and sculpts the body in ways that can be modified from person to person. These physical changes make people feel more attractive which, in turn, can increase sexual desire.
More Resilient to Chronic Illness
Muscle is a fantastic against chronic illness. People with more muscle do better when they are ill or hospitalized. It’s well documented that muscle wasting occurs in people when they are bedridden and having more muscle buffers this negative effect.
Physical strength is also an excellent predictor of longevity. More muscle also improves insulin sensitivity and gives your body the ability to store and use more glycogen (which comes from carbohydrates and sugar). These factors are protective against one of the most common chronic illnesses, diabetes.
Better Mood
Exercise is a fantastic treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Resistance training is one of the best forms of exercise for depression and anxiety because it forces people to be more present. While you can get lost in thoughts or even think about stressful events while walking or running, you must stay present while lifting weights. Resistance training is not like other forms of exercise where you do the same movements repeatedly over and over. You need to focus on form and you change exercises often.
Adding resistance training to your exercise routine can positively impact many important areas of your life.
