Fitness Together Georgia

I think most people understand that they need to exercise to be healthy, but for most it is still a mystery of what exercises they should do. The answer may be simpler than you think. Like most things in life, we need to strike a balance. Balanced exercise includes both cardio and weight resistance.

What Are The Benefits?

You have heard of the benefits of cardio exercises like jogging, walking, swimming and bike riding, but you may not be as familiar with the benefits of weight resistance exercise. You may even think that lifting weights is just for serious body builders. Medical research is continually discovering more and more benefits from weight resistance training for everyone. That’s right, everyone; men, women, young, old, large, small, overweight and petite.


So what are the benefits of weight resistance exercise? There are many, but among them are the following:

• Reduces risk of heart disease, still America’s number one killer


• Stabilizes blood sugar (a key to preventing or controlling Type 2 Diabetes)


• Lessens risk of some types of cancer


• Lowers blood pressure


• Reduces cholesterol levels


• Increases bone density (Doctors now recommend weight training as the most effective method for preventing osteoporosis!)


• Weight loss through metabolically active muscle cells burning fat


• More energy


• Improved appearance


That’s just a partial list of the benefits. The key to achieving these benefits is metabolism. The active metabolic tissue in our bodies is in our muscles.

Weight Resistance Maximizes Your Body’s Ability to Burn Fat

Weight resistance exercise involving all the muscles in the body maximizes the body’s ability to burn fat and produce energy. Weight resistance exercise does this way more effectively than cardio exercise does. Even when resting or sleeping, healthy muscle tissue is very active and requires up to 45 calories per pound per day.


When you are not maintaining or increasing muscle tissue, you are losing it (muscle atrophy). That results in a reduction of your metabolic rate. With less muscle, your body requires less energy and food that should be used as energy is stored as fat. You store more fat and burn less calories, which adds to your risk of disease.


The reasons for engaging in a balanced program of cardiovascular and weight resistance exercises are compelling. After all, what is more important than your health? It is too important to leave the outcomes to chance. Before starting any exercise program be sure to talk to your doctor and get a physical if you haven’t had one recently. Then seek the help of a fitness professional who will develop a program that is specifically designed for you. You will soon be on your way to realizing the benefits of an active, healthy life.

What Do You Think?

What do you think about weight resistance training? Did I miss anything? Let us know and leave a comment.



Russ Yeager, CFT, CPA
Owner Fitness Together Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Norcross