We’re officially entering the second week of the new year and many of us are looking for new ways to improve our health and fitness. After all, we’re all looking to escape the cold winter months in Canada and that usually means spending more time indoors. One surefire way to beat the post-holiday blues is with a consistent strength training routine.
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A boost for your physical health
Strength training has been proven to provide huge health benefits, both physical and mental, and can be the key to starting your New Year off right throughout 2025. One of the most versatile forms of physical activity, strength training lends itself to a wide array of exercises and muscle groups; and provides a much wider range of health benefits.
Here are just a few ways that strength training can boost your health:
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- Improved bone density and strength, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
- Faster calorie burn, with elevated metabolism post-workout.
- Improved range of motion and mobility, which decreases the overall risk of injury.
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among a number of other health conditions.
Strength training is also one of the most fundamentally transferrable types of exercise in our daily lives. With a focus on improving mobility and applying emphasis to functional movements, strength training can connect the dots between what we do in the gym and how we move in the real world. This can make many of our everyday tasks, like lifting a laundry basket or picking up your
kids, that much easier.
Level up your mental health
Research has shown that strength training helps improve self-esteem and create a positive body image, both of which contribute to better mental health overall. This happens in part because strength training helps release endorphins, which reduce anxiety and increase confidence. Strength training can also improve the quality of sleep, and we all know how much a good night’s sleep – or bad night’s sleep – can impact our focus and mental state throughout the entire day!
A stable routine built around regular strength training will build discipline and motivation, and as a result, your mental resilience and overall wellness. Tracking progress and hitting personal milestones also gives you a chance to celebrate wins, boosting confidence and reinforcing your commitment to keep going. So go ahead and get ready for 2025, and see how strength training can improve your physical and mental health.
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Feature image by Victor Freitas
