Search
logo
Search
The article is in preview mode

Why Lifting Weights When Weight Loss Is Important

Homepage Articles Why Lifting Weights When Weight Loss Is Important

Why Lifting Weights When Weight Loss Is Important

People who start a so-called reduction often associate this period with a restrictive diet and long-term cardio training, such as cycling, running, or swimming. During this period many people give up weightlifting and do not base their physical activity on resistance exercise. However, more and more scientific research shows that strength training can be a key component in the weight loss process because it affects fat loss and body composition.

Table of Contents

1. How muscle mass helps you lose weight

While at rest, the muscles as one of the most active tissues in the body consume a large amount of energy, much more than, for example, adipose tissue. This translates to more calories burned during the day. The process of fat reduction involves the introduction of calorie balance, which makes the body look after fat stores but can also use muscle protein as a source of energy. This is beneficial not only from the point of view of improving body fat growth.

2. Strength training and energy expenditure

In one strength training session, fewer calories are burned than in an intensive cardio workout. One hour of strength training, depending on the intensity taken, can contribute to the burning of 200400 kcal. An hour of cardio training can generate an excess of 400800 kcal. Looking at the short term you can conclude that cardio exercise will be a better choice for weight loss. Nothing more mistaken.

3. Other benefits of strength training during reduction

Strength training, in addition to aiding the process of reducing fat, has other health benefits: it supports metabolic health, cardiovascular health, and bone health.

4. It improves insulin sensitivity

The hormone responsible for transporting glucose from the blood to the inside of cells is insulin. The greater the sensitivity to this hormone, the less insulin the body needs to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Strength training makes tissues more sensitive to insulin, so that the body absorbs glucose more efficiently from blood without overproducing insulin.

5. Improving bone health

Strength training plays an important role in improving bone health. Regular resistance exercises increase bone mineral density and affect bone micro-architecture, which translates into strength and fracture resistance.Strength exercise is also an effective strategy in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which may prove helpful for older adults and postmenopausal women (I. Haque, T. Z. Schlacht, D. A. Skelton 2023). Regular strength training can significantly improve bone health and overall quality of life.

6. Positive effects on heart health and well-being

Both healthy people and those suffering from heart disease or hypertension can benefit from regular strength training. Resistance training helps to reduce blood pressure and improves the function of the vascular endothelium by increasing their flexibility. Strength training may prove to be an effective non-pharmacological method of treating hypertension, as evidenced by a meta-analysis from 2023 (R. R. Correia et al. 2023).

7. How to train for weight loss

When reducing energy-deficiency fatty tissue, training should minimize loss of muscle tissue and strength. To be an effective part of the weight loss program, it should be well planned in terms of volume, intensity and frequency. It should be maintained as long as possible and the weight previously lifted and not lowered until it is needed. Maintaining heavy weights will protect the muscles during a lack of calories, which will allow the body to maintain an adequate level of muscle mass. Of course, during the weight reduction process, the body can reduce weight and reduce weight, and it may be necessary to reduce weight.

8. Summary

Resistance training is the foundation of an effective weight loss process. It is one of the most effective ways to maintain muscle mass and increase the rate of metabolism. It translates to faster and more efficient fat loss. Properly planned strength training during calorie deficit gives the body information that muscle maintenance is necessary, thus allowing it to minimize muscle loss. It also creates an environmentally friendly hormonal effect. It increases the levels of hormones such as testosterone or growth hormone, which can affect self-esteem and motivation.

Category:
Source

Correia R.R. et al., Strength training for arterial hypertension treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, „Scientific Reports” 2023, 13(1), 201.
Haque I., Schlacht T.Z., Skelton D.A., The effects of high velocity resistance training on bone mineral density in older adults: A systematic review, „Bone” 2024, 179, 116986.
Lopez P. et al., Resistance training effectiveness on body composition and body weight outcomes in individuals with overweight and obesity across the lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis, „Obesity Reviews” 2022, 23(5), e13428.