Why should someone work to build muscle when they workout?
The short answer? It’s great for your health!
Keep in mind that we are not talking about building “bodybuilding” levels of muscle. Sometimes people think of muscle-bound bodybuilders when they hear that we are “building muscle.” What we are referring to is a smaller amount of muscle added to people who want to be generally healthy and active.
A lot has been written about the “obesity epidemic.” What you don’t often hear about is “sarcopenia” — or the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength.
This condition is more common in older populations but many people start losing muscle in their 30s. In fact, Webmd.com states that inactive people can lose between 3% to 5% of their muscle mass in every decade after they turn 30.
While this might not seem like a big deal, if you lose muscle then it is likely that you’ll lose the ability to perform daily tasks and you’ll likely be more prone to injury. Neither of these things is good for your head space.
Here’s the great news: strength training works at any age.
When you’re younger, you can use it to build muscle.
When you’re in your 30’s, you can still add muscle if you train properly.
If you’re in your 70s, you can still add muscle and gain strength.
The 7 Benefits of Building Muscle
- Muscle improves your ability to do everyday tasks — related to this is the confidence you build knowing you’re physically able to pick up your kids, move that box, or simply stand up
- Muscle helps prevent injury — with proper strength training, you can build symmetry and create more supple and stable joints
- Muscle helps preserve a healthy body weight — improving your metabolism anyone?
- Muscle can improve your posture — you don’t want to have those forward rounded shoulders do you? Building muscle can help to balance you out and give you a more attractive posture
- Muscles help you perform better in sports — you’ll be stronger, faster, more powerful, and more durable too
- Muscle has aesthetic benefits — while not everybody cares about this, it is important to note that a lot of people appreciate how they look when they carry a bit more muscle
- Muscle building and mental health — studies have suggested that strength training can boost self-esteem and help people deal with depression, anxiety, and stress
Overall, building a little muscle can go a long way. If you’re unsure about the best way to go about building muscle, you can always ask us!
If you’d like to learn about how we can help you build muscle so you can do the things you want to do, book a free consult HERE.
