Why Do We Need Strength?

By Gen Wright

We can live our lives without stamina, endurance, speed or flexibility but, without strength we are unable to live. Every movement we make depends on muscle strength when we talk, walk, eat, breathe, stay upright and move in any way. We couldn't survive without it; most of us have no idea of its importance.

In the past not much importance was placed on muscle strength, now we know that it is critical for us to be able to have the highest quality of life. Although muscles are something that our modern day technology driven lifestyles not longer require, our health is dependant on the strength of them. With proper exercise – strength training – they become stronger and better able to perform daily tasks and activities and learn new functions, making our lives much easier.

Not many people are aware that our muscle tissue serves as the body's armor and defense against illness and disease. When we strengthen our muscular systems, our immune system is also strengthened. The fuel source used by the immune system is stored in the muscles which helps protect against life threatening disease or illness.

Muscles are also where the body stores protein which is necessary to produce antibodies to fight off infections and find and destroy rogue cancer cells and viruses. A store of protein is kept in muscles to draw upon if needed for fighting sickness when it is needed.

Having strong muscles can greatly reduce a number of health risks. They been proven to have a positive affect on insulin resistance, metabolism (the rate your body burns fuel), blood pressure and high blood fats. These are factors that are linked to illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

High levels of body fat are also linked to killer diseases and muscle tissue is where fat is burned for energy, so having strong muscles will decrease the risk of becoming overweight or obese. Strong muscles will also help you lose weight as muscle tissue burns as much as 15 times more calories per day than fat tissue - even when you are at rest. With more toned active muscle in our bodies, we use up more calories even just sitting around.

It is easy to keep your muscles toned with a proper exercise program that contains at least 60% strength training exercise. No other type of exercise can match it when it comes to producing health benefits. You can count on it to stoke your metabolism, strengthen your bones, joints and heart as well as trimming your waistline.

The benefits of strong muscles for all adults are vast, in fact in the hierarchy of health pursuits, building and maintaining stronger muscles is at the very top. If you wish to slow down the aging process, strengthening your muscles will accomplish this in many ways circulating blood carrying youth preserving oxygen and nutrients to every tissue and cell in the body.

All adults over 30 lose muscle tissue at the rate of 300-500 grams per year with this rate increasing as one gets older. It is imperative that you keep your muscles strong to help avoid this loss. Weakened muscles will cause accelerated aging more than any other factor.

If you have not already cemented a proper exercise program into your life, seek the help of a fitness professional to help you get started. They will set your program up and teach you how to make it effective and time efficient.

The consensus is growing: strong muscles are good for everyone of all ages and it is now recommended that all adults' strength train their major muscle groups twice a week. It is time for you to get on board and reap the many benefits.

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Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth - Let Me Show You Too!" here: reverse aging. Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.