Strength training
Strength training refers to any workout aimed at building strength and muscle mass. It involves using strong training stimuli to contract your muscles.
In bodybuilding, the focus is much more on bodily aesthetics rather than strength. Therefore, in this context strength training is done to get the most muscular and defined body possible.
In powerlifting, on the other hand, the focus is much more on muscular strength. Powerlifting focuses particularly on building strength for three exercises: the bench press, squats, and deadlifts.
However, both sports are about hypertrophy - building muscle. Because without building muscle mass, you can't build strength. And for this, strength training is needed.
However, strength training is not only a sport of modern times. Even in ancient times, a type of strength training was practiced in order to become as strong as possible. Indeed, physical fitness has been enormously important to people in many cultures across the world.
Aside from the visual and performance-enhancing effects of strength training, working out with weights offers many additional benefits. Many of these benefits are to your overall health.
Strength training boosts your immune and hormonal systems by releasing anti-inflammatory substances and stimulating your immune cells. Furthermore, training helps to lower the risk of diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
In addition, strength training can prevent or slow down muscle atrophy as a result of aging (sarcopenia). Training also has positive effects against the decrease in bone density (osteoporosis).
Your metabolism will be boosted by regular training and your fat burning will be stimulated. Your agility and speed can even improve with the right training.
Many people today have poor posture. This can also be improved by training and building muscle mass.
One of the most important points in favor of strength training, however, is your psyche. Physically demanding training relieves stress. The release of so-called happiness hormones (dopamine, serotonin and endorphins) makes you feel better after the workout. In addition, your self-esteem and self-image can see improvement in the long run.
Thus, strength training can often be one effective tool for combatting anxiety disorders and depression.
With the Alpha Progression App, you can create an ideal training plan and plot out your strength training for the long term.