8 BENEFITS OF STRENGTH TRAINING

We often associate strength training with dedicated body builders, grunting and sweating away at the gym for hours working on their physical appearance. Barry Nguyen, a sports & musculoskeletal physiotherapist and health technologist shares with us other reasons why we should all participate in strength training. 

1. Increase bone strength - Strength training stresses on your bones leading to increased bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis ('brittle bones'). 

2. Weight control - Strength training helps convert fat into lean muscle raising your basal metabolic rate. This helps you burn more calories even at rest. 

3. Improve brain power - Some studies have suggested that strength training can help improve your memory and focus, particularly in older adults. 

4. Manage chronic disease - Strength training can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic diseases including back and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, heart failure and diabetes type II. 

5. Improve stamina - Strength training can help you do more physical activities in your daily living without feeling tired and inefficient.

6. Boost your self-esteem - Strength training has been shown in studies to boost your self-confidence.

7. Improve posture - Strength training can help you move while performing your daily activities in a more relaxed and efficient manner.

8. A large number of research studies have demonstrated that strength training can improve running performance, efficiency and reduce the risk of injury. Below is a useful infographic summarising the benefits of strength training for recreational and elite runners based on the latest scientific research studies: