If you want a six pack, resistance training and dialed-in-nutrition are key components to make it happen. But, lean muscle is so much more than just an excuse to show off your abs this summer. You might be surprised to learn how they can benefit your health, quality of life and mental state, too. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a recreational fitness fan, let’s take a look at some benefits of resistance training that go beyond aesthetics.
Muscles: Built for Your Benefit.
Aesthetics aside, muscles play a vital role in supporting our overall health, especially in the aging adult. It may surprise you, but lean muscle isn’t just about looking good (although that’s a pretty nice bonus). And muscle health is just as important for women as it is for men.
- Health: Benefits of Resistance Training That Go Beyond a Beach Bod
One of the top motivators for individuals to begin resistance training is to manage weight. The science is simple: essentially, more muscles require more energy and in turn burn more fat. In fact, a 2014 study published in the research journal: Obesity, found that resistance training is more effective at preventing increases in abdominal fat (visceral fat) than cardiovascular exercise.
Again, this is about so much more than just seeing your abs. Since abdominal fat sits in and around your vital organs (including the heart) resistance training can also help to improve heart health.
Additionally, building muscle through resistance training can also improve our ability to take in and utilize glucose (blood sugar). Muscle is the largest consumer of glucose in our body, the more lean muscle we have, the less excess glucose in our blood, which in turn lowers the risk of developing prediabetes and eventually Type II diabetes.
- Quality of Life: Resistance Training Can Reduce Injury Risk and Boost Confidence
Did you know that after you turn 40, you lose approximately 1 percent of bone mass every year? Resistance training can play a role in slowing bone loss and even building bone strength. Additionally, all that lean muscle from resistance training is also important for daily movement, balance, stability and injury prevention.
Nothing derails a fitness goal faster than an injury. As you gain strength, you’ll also strengthen tendons and ligaments which can enhance good posture, and in turn may help reduce the risk of injuries and falls. All of this can boost confidence levels and improve your overall quality of life.
- Strengthened Mental State: Loving Your Body for What It Can Do
Sure, “runner’s high” might get a lot of attention, but did you know that resistance training can also provide exercise-triggered endorphins to help improve our mental state and even decrease depressive symptoms, reduce anxiety and enhance self-esteem.
Just ask YOLKED Ambassador, Angela Salveo. “I grew up as an active child involved in mostly track, cheerleading, gymnastics and have always loved the feeling of being strong. Now as a competitive CrossFitter and Weightlifter, I appreciate my body for what it can do even more (not necessarily what it looks like). For me, resistance training has become therapeutic. It’s my time to disconnect from work, kids, laundry, etc. and really tune in to my body.”
Her secret to staying consistent with resistance training? “I’m always changing things up to stimulate my mind and body. Plus, I like to make a calendar appointment with myself and never cancel!”
Maximize Your Lean Muscles with YOLKED
It’s important to develop a resistance training routine that challenges your muscles. If you’re constantly doing the same thing over and over, your body will adapt and you’ll stop seeing gains in strength and muscle mass. Additionally, your body requires proper recovery strategies, such as nourishment, hydration and mental recovery, to repair damaged muscle fibers after resistance training.
One of the best ways to help improve muscle recovery is by taking YOLKED with Fortetropin® daily. Considered protein’s perfect partner: YOLKED, Fueled By Fortetropin®, is clinically proven to improve recovery and help your body to utilize protein more efficiently to build more lean muscle mass.
Stop leaving your gains on the table. It’s time to put all those benefits of resistance training to good use and GET YOLKED. Find out more about this breakthrough in sports nutrition.