When it comes to creating and sculpting your ultimate physique, both cardio and strength training have their benefits. Like many, you may gravitate towards one type of exercise that you continually engage in over the other – don’t we all? When it comes to fat loss, the treadmill is our go-to – running for hours until we burn out and to gain muscle, we race to the weight rack to break a sweat. But the reality is: to shed weight and discover your dream body you should engage in both types of exercise for maximum health and fitness gain.

Great news: you can combine both into a single activity. Whether it be a boot camp style set, or creating your personalized daily routine that balances both weight training and cardio, you will have your dream body in no time! If you want to reduce body fat, increase lean muscle mass and burn calories more efficiently strength training is to the rescue! Strength training is a key component of overall health and fitness for everyone. MAXUM’s products range from adjustable dumbbell sets, squat racks, weight benches, barbells, exercise bikes, and weight plate sets. You can now have the highest-quality gym home equipment within the comfort of your own home!

Promoting Greater Mobility and Flexibility

Strength training, in contrast to popular opinion, can actually help increase your body’s flexibility levels. A person’s joint range of motion (ROM) is increased and reinforced during strength training, resulting in increased mobility and flexibility. A recent study contrasting stretching and strength training discovered they were both equally beneficial in boosting range of motion (ROM) and provided long-term health benefits. When exercising, it is important to perform an exercise to its full range of motion (ROM) as it ensures athletes are using proper exercise techniques and are targeting muscles to fire. With stronger muscles, athletes can perform more complex movements and build more strength. Utilizing the full extent of your joint’s range of motion creates optimum effects and benefits for your workout! Next time try lowering yourself into a squat as low as you can without losing your form!

Improving Brain Health

Strength training has been shown to improve overall brain health and offer defense against age-related cognitive decline. The use of weights to build muscle has been linked to considerable increases in cognitive functions like processing speed, memory, and some executive functions like focus, working memory, and self-control. Resistance training has also been proven to provide a variety of neuroprotective effects such as enhanced blood flow to the brain and body, decreased inflammation, and increased activity in brain regions associated with memory and learning. Fun fact: strength training for as little as six months has been shown to protect the brain regions that are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease!

Burns Calories

Cardio is not the only thing that burns calories and creates your dream figure! Your metabolism is increased by strength training in two powerful ways. Gaining muscle speeds up your metabolism and as muscles have a higher metabolic rate than fat mass, you can burn more calories while at rest which allows you to eat more and still feel healthy! Studies have also shown that the benefits of strength training on your metabolism last for up to 72 hours. You will still be burning additional calories days after working out!

Decreases Fat Levels

Increased risks of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and some types of cancer are linked to abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat. Studies have demonstrated the value of strength-training exercises for lowering belly and overall body fat percentages. Improvement in body composition, metabolism, and strength are some results of resistance training. Strength training alone (without cardio) can still reduce body fat by 1.4% according to a recent review and meta-analysis.

Makes You Mentally & Physically Stronger

Gaining strength enables you to carry out daily duties more easily! Whether it be chasing after your children, lifting heavy groceries, or going on daily walks and workouts, your body is ready to take on more! Strength training boosts athletic performance in activities that call for quickness, strength, and power, and supports endurance activities by maintaining your new lean muscle mass. Strength exercise can also increase your mental energy and attention, increase your mental engagement, and improve your mood – what a deal!

Lowers Risk of Injury

Your risk of injury may be lowered if you incorporate strength training into your exercise regimen. Your muscles, ligaments, and tendons become stronger and more mobile, increasing the strength around your knees, hips, and ankles, and ultimately your body’s resistance to injury. Strength training is also used to treat muscle imbalances. If your core, hamstrings, and glutes are strong, lifting will be easier and less likely to cause any lower-back issues or pain!

Improves Heart Health

Regular strength training has been proven to strengthen the heart and blood arteries, lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. It also enhances blood circulation helping to maintain a healthy body, balanced weight, and healthy blood sugar levels – a key factor in heart disease. Remember this: strength training makes it easier for your heart to pump blood because it increases the amount of lean muscle mass. Because of this, your arteries experience less pressure, which lowers the likelihood of developing heart-related issues!

Helps Blood Sugar Levels

Using your muscles helps burn glucose and improves the way insulin works. Strength exercises can assist people with diabetes control their condition and balance out their blood sugar levels while helping others reduce the risk of developing the disease in the future. Insulin sensitivity is increased in part by skeletal muscle, and by having more muscle, there is better blood sugar regulation and balanced concentration.

Visit our website for your home gym needs and get started on your weight training goals!