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With summer here and swimsuit season in full swing, we want to feel a sense of satisfaction with our bodies after all of our hard work with dieting and exercise. For some of us, that contentment with our body image still isn’t there, even after numerous grueling workouts.

There may be something we’re missing when it comes to hitting the gym and establishing workout routines. Studies revealed, women tend to stick to cardio workouts to lose weight and they often forget about the importance of strength training.

According to an article by fitnessmagazine.com, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) found that of 12.7 million female members of a commercial health club, “. . . only about half used weight machines and only one-third lifted free weights.”

Dixie Stanforth, a lecturer in kinesiology at the University of Texas, said in the article, “We need to make it clearer that for both optimal health and fitness benefits, women especially need to do a combo of aerobic and strength training on a regular basis.”

An article by Elizabeth Quinn, an exercise physiologist and fitness consultant, revealed women who lift weights just two to three times per week for two months will lose 3.5 pounds of body fat while gaining two pounds of muscle. these results came from a study by fitness research director Wayne Westcott, Ph.D.

Because of an increase in lean muscle and resting metabolism, strength training allows women to burn more calories throughout the day. along with “battling the bulge,” strength training can also decrease the risk of osteoporosis, back pain, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Even older people, or those with health concerns (such as arthritis or heart disease), can benefit both physically and mentally by incorporating weight training into their workout routines, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC also said that studies show exercise can “slow the physiological aging clock.”

Improve Your Well-being through Strength Training

Related Reading:

Thrive Fitness: The Vegan-Based Training Program for Maximum Strength, Health, and FitnessOn the heels of his acclaimed vegan nutrition guide, Thrive, professional Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier presents his own easy-to-apply system for total health and fitness, complete with detailed exercises and photos. Thrive Fitness explains how to gain maximum results in minimal time. Whether you’re a time-crunched beginner or an experienced athlete, Thrive Fitness will help you sculpt strong, lean muscles; enhance the quality of your sleep; reduce body fat; minimize your risk of disease; increase energy; sharpen mental clarity; cut sugar cravings; and prevent sports injuries.

Thrive Fitness also features:

• A complete 6-week workout plan and training log
• Illustrated exercises with step-by-step instructions
• Benefits and usage of the top 15 foods to fuel workouts
• 30 vegan, performance-enhancing recipes
• Strategies to boost creativity, productivity, and mental sharpness