Be One Strong Mother

Hi, it’s me again, touting the importance of strength training and its superiority for overall health and well-being. But this time, I am going to focus on women.

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A study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology evaluated the differences in the effects of exercise between men and women.

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Of the over 400,000 people included in the study (which took place over 20 years), only 1 in 5 women did regular weight training. But those who did, saw incredible benefits.

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Women who do strength training exercises two to three days a week are more likely to live longer and have a lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to women who do none.

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What’s really cool is that women who did strength training had a reduction in cardiovascular mortality by 30%, proving that resistance training enhances cardio. (And note: it’s not necessarily the other way around…aerobic exercise has a negligible effect on skeletal muscle mass)

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Not only is strength training good for cardiovascular health, but also:

Protection of joints

Metabolic health (It burns more calories)

Protection against injuries and falls

Controlling blood sugar

Boosting mood

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For so many years, women have tended to focus on aerobic activity, so I am hoping that more are realizing the value of both.

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And it’s never too late to start. Strength training in the elderly (>60 years) increases muscle strength by increasing muscle mass, and by improving the recruitment of motor units, and increasing their firing rate. This means you CAN build muscle if you’re over 60.

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So, if you’re thinking of what to get your mom for the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday, ditch the flowers and get her a gym membership!