12 Reasons For Strength Training

Many of you visiting this site have chest issues such as Gynecomastia  or

Pseudogynecomastia but I suspect that many of you are also interested in changing your body overall and perhaps need that extra push to get started. So here are 12 reasons, which I, as a 68 year old Fitness Advisor and long-time strength trainer, have put together because I know from personal experience they are oh-so-true:

• Increased Muscle Mass and Strength will be yours...even 1/2 an hour of weights/resistance work, 3 times per week will enable at least 2lbs. of lean mass gain in the first 2 months. Furthermore a 12 stone guy could put on over 28 lbs. of muscle in his first year of resistance training. I have seen it happen.

• Avoiding Atrophy... both strength and muscle mass decline as we get older. By the time a man gets to 60 he could, without strength training, have lost over 50% of the muscle mass that he had at 21. The good news is that it does not have to be this way and I know this personally because I have a better build than most guys in their twenties, simply because I have strength trained for many years.

• Improved Bone Density and Strength... plus increased mineral and protein content in the bones. This results in a greatly decreased risk of fractures and osteoporosis. 12 months training can produce the startling result of a 50% increase in bone strength!

• Increased Tendon and Ligament Strength…strength training stimulates the production of collagen proteins in tendons and ligaments thereby increasing their structural strength and improving joint stability.

• Increased Resting Metabolic Rate is a direct consequence of increased muscle mass due to the fact that the extra fibers in the muscles require more energy for their essential functions and maintenance. This means more calories burned, even while resting. The reverse is also true because when you lose muscle mass, not only do you lose strength but your metabolic rate decreases by anything from 2% to 5% every 10 years.

• Reduced Blood Pressure... it's not just aerobic training that does this!

• Less Body Fat... Did you know that a sedentary adult puts on over 14 lb.[7kg.] of fat every decade? Strength training, combined with aerobic work, results in a higher resting metabolic rate, which means a higher daily calorie expenditure, which, in turn, means a fat loss of 1lb. per week on average. Many studies haveconfirmed this fact as has my own experience in the gym.

• Decreased Blood Cholesterol... and other blood fats is also another superb result of strength training. This will happen after only a few weeks.

• Less Injuries... It follows that, with a more muscled body, stronger bones, tendons and ligaments, your body has a considerably reduced chance of sustaining injury.

• Better Posture... Due to extra musculature, greater bone, tendon and ligament strength and the introduction of proper stretching, your posture will be much improved.

• Improved Appearance... More lean mass, less fat and better posture equals a new you!

• The Psychological Benefits... are substantial as you will experience reduced stress, anxiety and depression. Your mood will be uplifted, you will sleep better, have more energy, confidence and, dare I say it, virility! Again, these benefits are not something that I have read about but my personal experience.

So, for those of you that have lost much of your musculature and added fat to replace it, consider all of these benefits. If you don't wish to join a gym you can still get results at home but you will need to invest some money in equipment and perhaps a mentor. There are also a few good, natural approaches detailed on my website should you wish to have a look.

Good Luck!