Go to any brand-name gym in Omaha and you’re going to see a pretty consistent pattern…
About a third of the space will be dedicated to cardio equipment. Another third will be locker rooms, saunas and spas, or maybe class space. The remaining third will be cable machines, dumbbells and bench press stations, with a single unused power rack off in a dark corner somewhere.
For most women, strength training is something you avoid because you don’t want to get too “bulky”. For some guys, strength training is synonymous with bench press. The truth is that strength training is the single best way to spend your time at the gym. It won’t make you bulky (unless you deliberately eat a lot), but it will make you healthier, faster, stronger and generally more satisfied with life. Here are 5 reasons you should incorporate strength training into your workouts:
1. Strength Training Burns More Calories
Most people think that treadmills, stationary bikes and stair masters are the best way to burn calories. In reality, cardio burns fewer calories than just about any other form of working out.
Why?
Because your body recovers very quickly from cardio. You’ll burn lots of calories while your heart rate is up, but within six hours or so your metabolism will be back to normal. Strength training, on the other hand, takes much longer to recover from. Your metabolism will be burning extra calories for up to 40 hours after lifting weights.
2. Strength Training Makes Real Life Easier
Just think about what life would be like if you were stronger…
When you’re strong, that long day at the office is less tiring. That big weekend project isn’t as intimidating. You’ll have deeper reserves of energy in your muscles, so you’ll be better able to make the most out of each day. Strength makes life easier, plain and simple.
3. Strength Training Keeps Your Body Running Smoothly
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard the myth that lifting weights is bad for your joints and tendons. If this were true, why would the best physical therapists in the world use strength training to rehabilitate their patients with damaged tendons and joints?
The simple truth is that your body was designed to lift heavy weights in a variety of different ways. When done properly, strength training actually makes your tendons and joints stronger, in addition to your muscles. It returns you to your biological roots.
4. Strength Training Releases Stress
We’ve all had those days that just didn’t go well. Maybe you got chewed out by your boss. Maybe you had a fender bender. Maybe you’ve just got too much on your plate. Whatever it is, it doesn’t really matter. Once you’re inside OBGYM with iron in your hands, everything else fades away.
As counter-intuitive as it may seem, strength training is relaxing!
5. Strength Training is Fun
Last but not least, there’s nothing quite as fulfilling as feeling yourself get stronger.
Why make yourself a dread going to a gym in Omaha with long runs on the treadmill or repetitive circuits on machines? Why waste your time? Instead, strength training allows you to devote your time to doing stuff that’s fun and productive. Strength training makes it easy to track your progress, see results, and spend less time doing it.
I hope I’ve made my case throughout this post. Strength training is the best way to get healthy and feel good. So, come on down to Omaha Barbell and lift something heavy. We’ve got lots of heavy things to choose from.
