The pros and cons of strength training
If you are like most of us, you are looking to up your fitness game. Maybe you want to increase your endurance for cycle class, play a better game of tennis, or crank out more burpees than ever before.
Traditionally, cardio was the exercise most recommended for improving your fitness. But recently, researchers have found that strength training dramatically helps improve your physique and increase your overall health and wellness.
But is strength training the panacea we think it is?
In this article, we will look at what strength training is, the types of strength training, and its pros and cons.
What is strength training?
Strength training (also known as resistance training) is a form of exercise that causes your muscles to work against external resistance. The outside resistance can be from your body weight, weight machines, free weights, resistance bands, and more.
Types of strength training
There are several forms of strength training, providing a variety of options to people of all ages and abilities. Use one method — or a few — to maintain diversity in your physical activity.
Bodyweight
Bodyweight movements are at the foundation of strength training. They are some of the most familiar and old-school exercises, but that does not mean they can’t give you a great workout.
You can develop entire workouts around bodyweight movements. They are great to do when you are at home or on the road when you don’t have access to equipment. Or integrate them into workouts along with weighted movements.
Typical bodyweight workouts are:
Plank
Sit-ups
Lunges
Burpees
Push-ups
Tricep dips
Handstands
Jumping jacks
Squats and jump squats
Free Weights
There are several types of free weights: medicine balls, dumbbells, kettlebells, and sandbags. Weights range from just a few pounds to 100 pounds or heavier. Almost everyone can use free weights.
You can use free weights on your own or in combination with other forms of resistance training. Use them at the gym, or purchase a few for your home gym.
There are dozens of movements that use free weights, providing you with a full-body workout.
Curls
Deadlifts
Thrusters
Russian twists
Kettlebell swings
Weighted lunges
Weighted squats
Overhead presses
Weighted step-ups
Weighted walks or sprints
Weight machines
Most people strength train by using the weight machines at their neighborhood gym for circuit training.
Weight machines use weights or pneumatic resistance. They allow you to train specific muscle groups for a “legs” or “arms and shoulders” day.
Weight machines are a good option if you are new to strength training and want a lower-risk method.
Some common weight machines are:
Lat pulldown
Leg extensions
Seated arm curls
Leg press machine
Machine bench press
Seated arm extensions
Seated overhead presses
Resistance bands
Resistance bands are elastic bands used for strength training or physical therapy. The bands are tubes with handles on either side or shaped as loops.
Bands are color coded for different resistance levels, allowing you to customize the type of resistance you want according to the movement and your ability.
Common exercises that use resistance bands are:
Row
Bicep curl
Donkey kick
Lateral raises
Side leg raises
Assisted pull-ups
Suspension training
Suspension training involves straps with handles affixed to a wall or bar. Suspension systems allow the user to perform bodyweight movements in multiple planes — forward, backward, sides, and in rotation.
You adjust the level of complexity by the degree in which you position your body. The more parallel to the floor you are, the more difficult the movements are. Beginners can start by setting themselves at a 45-60 degree angle.
Suspension training forces the person to use their core muscles to stabilize themselves while exercising. This system is great for getting a full-body workout. TRX is the most well-known suspension training system.
Use a suspension system to:
Row
Plank
Lunge
Pull-ups
Push-ups
Hamstring pull
Olympic weight lifting
Olympic weightlifting has historically been considered a young mens sport.
We all have images etched into our brains of a big muscly dude picking up barbells weighing hundreds of pounds, grimacing, sweat pouring down his brow, then dropping the weight on the gym floor — the crashing sound reverberating throughout the room.
But the face of weight lifting is changing to include more women and older adults. With the proper training, Olympic weightlifting can be an effective (and exhilarating) sport to build more muscle power. Types of Olympic weightlifting include:
Deadlifts
Snatches
Back squats
Front Squats
Clean and jerks
Bench Press
Water resistance training
Water provides natural resistance, which means water aerobics or lap swimming are forms of strength training. This is great news for older athletes or those with joint issues who need gentler and safer methods to strength train.
Exercises to practice in the pool are:
Arm lifts
Flutter kicks
Wall push-ups
Jumping jacks
Treading water
Walking or jogging in place
Pros of strength training
Strength training is not just about becoming stronger. There are significant physical, physiological, cognitive, and mental benefits too.
Burns body fat
Strength training burns body fat during and after exercise, a process called post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), enabling the body to burn more calories throughout the day.
Reduces stress
When you strength train, your body releases endorphins — a “feel good hormone” — that reduces your perception of pain and lifts your mood.
Improves coordination
Strength training takes coordination and balance. You must move in a focused manner to obtain proper technique and prevent injury.
Better coordination and balance translate into improvement in other sports and reduce the chance of falling as you age.
Increases bone density
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens bones and leaves people at risk for fractures. The stress placed on bones from strength training actually triggers the body to build bone cells, creating denser, stronger, and more resilient bones.
Improves quality of sleep
There is nothing like a good strength training session to calm the body and mind, preparing you for a good night's sleep.
Increases cognitive function
More and more research shows that exercise, including strength training, improves cognitive function and mental clarity. It also decreases the chance of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
Improves heart and lung health
Cardio (or aerobic) workouts are characteristically associated with improving heart and lung health. But strength training is also effective.
Strength training can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, lowering your risk for heart attacks.
Lungs work harder when you strength train, which helps your lungs be more toned — just like your muscles.
Decreases anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health issues in the US and worldwide. Strength training not only changes a person’s chemistry, but it also affects their perception of themselves, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Strength training has no side effects, so it is also a safe option for people looking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
Increases muscle mass and strength
Strength training helps you develop muscle mass and strength through subtle damage and regrowth of your muscle tissue.
Increased muscle mass does not necessarily mean you will become big and bulky. Usually, a person who strength trains notices more definition and a more toned body.
Plus, you will get stronger, hitting PRs every few weeks or months, which is a great way to measure your progress.
Increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose uptake
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases facing Americans today. There are many factors why people develop diabetes, but a poor diet and obesity are two significant risk factors.
Strength training can increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose uptake in the body, which can help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.
Cons of strength training
Although strength training has many benefits, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of.
Sorer
Weight lifting can make you sore, especially if you do HIIT (high-intensity interval training) or heavy lifting. Mobility work is mandatory if you strength train to recover well and move with comfort throughout your day.
Need equipment
You can do bodyweight-based strength training (as mentioned above), but using free weights, machines, or Olympic lifting will increase the degree of challenge and provide more diversity in your programming. Unfortunately, barbells don’t fit well in your suitcase, and they take up a lot of room if you put one in your living room for home training.
This means that if you want to weight train, it helps to have a variety of equipment. And the place that has that variety is the gym. Therefore, you must pay gym fees and plan to drive, park, and train there.
Increased risk of injury
The risk of injury is the biggest disadvantage of strength training. Strength training, especially when using weights, must be approached with the utmost attention to technique in order to be safe. If you are not properly trained it is easy to strain or even damage muscles, tendons, or joints.
Have correct form so that you target the correct muscles
Take breaks between sets so that your body can have a mini-recovery
Use the weight and rep scheme that challenges you but does not cause pain
Warm up properly so that your muscles are prepared to train, and then cool down and mobilize to maintain flexibility and enhance recovery
Start slowly, learning strength training in increments and adding weight gradually so that you have time to get stronger and become more skillful
Don’t train through an injury — it will aggravate the injury and may cause strain in other areas of the body as you compensate for the pre-existing injury
Workout with a personal trainer or in a group class so that you can be assessed and receive feedback about your technique, weight load, and programming
14 strength training classes at the Paseo Club
Now that you have read this article, you know what strength training is, what types of strength training you can try, and the pros and cons of strength training.
If you would like to try a strength training class and are in the Santa Clarita Valley, then check out the Paseo Club. We have several classes that are both fun and challenging! Whether you are a newbie or a pro, younger or older, there is a strength training class for you.
LIFT
Pilates Mat
Liquid Cardio
TRX and Core
Cardio Strength
Strictly Strength
TRX and Pilates
Pilates Reformer
Chisel Challenge
Strength and Tone
Weighted Bootcamp
Paseo Tribe HIIT Core
Core, Tone, and Strength
Blood Flow Restriction Training
Our two most popular classes are LIFT and Paseo TRIBE.
LIFT class is an hour-long class thatfeatures barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, TRX straps, workout benches, and more.
Class has four components: warm-up, strength training, WOD (workout of the day that is 8-12 minutes of high-intensity interval training), and cool down. LIFT is a small group training class so you get lots of one-on-one instruction.
Paseo Tribe HIIT Core is a class for everyone, regardless of your fitness level. It increases your strength and endurance and burns fat. This class focuses on the muscles around your pelvis, hips, back and abdomen, leaving you with a slimmer waistline and stronger abs.You can get measurable results in just weeks!
The Paseo Club offers over 60 fitness classes each week. So if you want to mix up your strength training with cardio, yoga, barre, or something else, we have you covered.
Members also enjoy our tennis and pickleball courts, junior Olympic pool, cafe, and onsite spa. So once you finish your workout, stay for a dip in the pool, a relaxing lunch with friends, or a Swedish massage — or all three!
If you are looking for a home away from home, then the Paseo Club may be the place for you. Join now.
