Lift Weights For Your Health

For a lot of people, exercise is an either/or choice. As in cardio or resistance. Runners typically don't like to lift weights and iron pumping strength athletes aren't known for enjoying endurance training. For those who'd rather avoid the bars and plates, a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health suggests you reconsider. It found that people who train with weights tend to have a more positive view of their own health.

The research involved 9,651 men and women who were separated into groups. They either lifted weight at least twice a week or didn't. They were then divided into subsets of people who rated themselves as either very healthy or not very healthy. As you might have guessed, there was a strong correlation between weight lifting and considering yourself to be very healthy.

True Strength Moment: Other studies have shown that a health self-perception is a strong predictor of mortality. If you think you're in pretty good shape, chances are you'll enjoy a longer life. If lifting some iron makes you feel like you're on top of the world, it's certainly well worth your while to make it to the gym a couple of times a week.
Leave a Comment
Big Hoop
Apr 23, 2010
Thank you ... I've been preaching this for a long time.