Lifting weights has obvious benefits. It can build and tone muscle, burn fat, increase strength and even boost your metabolism.
However, your gym regimen has more benefits than you may think. Lifting weights can help you build a stronger and more resilient central nervous system, and a recent article from InBody details how it strengthens one of the most vital organs in your body – your brain.
Improves Mind / Muscle Connection
Your muscle movements are largely dictated by your central nervous system. Research has found that training can help your brain better activate the major muscles in charge of movement. It can also help you better coordinate your muscle movements.
Boosts and Protects Cognition
Resistance training is recommended in elderly populations as it has been linked to an overall better quality of life and improvements in memory and cognitive function, which can help protect against neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, evidence suggests that resistance training can encourage brain regeneration and gray matter volume.
May Help Regulate Your Stress Response
Your stress response is reliant on three different systems: the sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA).
While we can’t always control the things that stress us out, there are ways that we can manage our body’s stress response. Exercise is a proven stress reliever. Cardio releases endorphins into the blood stream that help regulate your mood and stress levels.
One study that evaluated the effects of weightlifting on all three stress response systems found that resistance training led to improvements in stress response in healthy resistance-trained men.
May Improve General Mental Health
Physical activity is known to influence your brain’s release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, a brain chemical that directly influences your mood.
Research suggests that active people are less likely to suffer from mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Regular exercise has also been found to improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being. Studies have also suggested that resistance training has been linked to improved symptoms of depression as well as anxiety in older adults.
Note that the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) highly recommends consulting a certified Personal Trainer to help you assess your current level of fitness and movement capabilities. If you are interested in adding more resistance training into your workouts and/or want to have one of our trainers evaluate your form, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!
To effectively build muscle mass, you want to ensure that your diet supports your muscle-building goals and overall well-being. By working with a Registered Dietitian, you will take the guesswork out of healthy eating and start fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. Contact our team of Registered Dietitians today to learn more and get started.