We reinforce countless times across a day, let alone a week, how important it is to be in the gym completing strength training. But why? What is so great about strength training? Why is it so important?…. Let’s go through the benefits of strength training.
GET STRONGER/ IMPROVE YOUR FORCE PRODUCTION
The reason that most of us are in the gym is to improve strength and improve the tolerance of our tissues to load. However, there are some other adaptations that we are also looking to improve with strength training. Force production is a major one. If you can produce more force with each movement, regardless of your chosen sport/activity, you will significantly decrease your energy expenditure. You won’t have to work as hard and you’ll therefore have more in the tank later.
GREATLY REDUCES THE CHANCE OF INJURY
There are many factors contributing to injury, including (not not limited to): strength imbalances, poor movement patterns, training volume, nutrition etc.
All of these play a role in the occurrence of an injury, but more importantly the prevention of injury. If you move more efficiently, with appropriate loading patterns (i.e. using Glutes, Hamstrings, Quads appropriately during Squats, Corelifts, Calf Raises, Single Leg Exercises), you reduce your chances of injury. By loading the right muscle groups, in the right way, your body will be more likely to tolerate your desired weekly training volume. Having an appropriate strength base will improve the tolerance of your tissues (i.e. muscle, tendon) to load.
IMPROVE MUSCLE ELASTICITY
When you strength train, not only are you able to produce more force and power, but your muscle elasticity improves. The result of this is an improvement in your ability to absorb and produce force more efficiently. Improving muscle elasticity can assist with both performance gains and injury prevention.
IMPROVES POSTURE
The importance of good posture is easy to forget. It is something that we often don’t consider enough in our day to day activities. The reported rates of low back and neck pain is huge! This doesn’t surprise me one bit considering the amount of sitting or slumping over a computer we do as a population on a day to day basis. A well designed strength program can help. Having good posture will improve the efficiency of your body as a whole, assist with respiratory system function and is likely to reduce pain in common areas such as your lower back.
IMPROVES YOUR BONE HEALTH
Strength training isn’t just for your muscles, it also plays a vital role in bone health, specifically bone density. Bones become stronger with strength training. This is a hugely important consideration in those with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
LIFTS YOUR MOOD
Exercise has many benefits, but one of the most important benefits is its ability to enhance our mental state. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins which make you feel good. It can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve our overall health and wellbeing.
For more information on what we do at The Injury Clinic, please click HERE
For more information on Strength & Conditioning at The Injury Clinic, please click HERE
To book a consult online, please click HERE
