Resistance training, also known as strength training or weight lifting, has long been known to have numerous benefits for the body. From increasing muscle mass and strength to improving bone density and coordination, resistance training has been shown to be an essential part of any fitness routine. But did you know that resistance training can also have significant benefits for your heart health?
A statistic that is just as if not more compelling than “cardio”
According to a recent study published in the journal Circulation, resistance training can decrease the risk of stroke and heart events by up to 70%. This is because resistance training has been shown to improve several key risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
In the study, researchers looked at data from over 130,000 adults who were followed for an average of 11 years. They found that those who performed resistance training at least once a week had a 27% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 30% lower risk of dying from heart disease, compared to those who did not perform resistance training.
Furthermore, those who performed resistance training at least twice a week had a 70% lower risk of experiencing a stroke and a 67% lower risk of developing heart failure, compared to those who did not perform resistance training.
How does it improve heart health?
These findings provide strong evidence that resistance training is an important tool in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. But how does resistance training improve heart health?
One way that resistance training helps the heart is by lowering blood pressure. When you perform resistance exercises, your muscles contract and put pressure on your blood vessels, which can help to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Resistance training can also improve cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. This is important because high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can increase the risk of heart disease.
In addition, resistance training can help to reduce body fat, which is a key risk factor for heart disease. By increasing muscle mass and burning calories, resistance training can help to decrease body fat and improve overall body composition.
Overall, the evidence is clear: resistance training is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and it can provide significant benefits for your heart health. So if you want to reduce your risk of stroke and heart events, be sure to incorporate resistance training into your fitness routine. Your heart will thank you!
KalQlate Science takes resistance training to a whole new level with adaptive resistance training. While you are doing something for the aesthetics, it’s an amazing added benefit that it’s doing just as much for your longevity!
