Whether you use free weights, machines, or resistance bands, weight training offers many health benefits. Using weights to exercise has been practiced since ancient times when people engaged in this activity for better health and sport. Egyptians lifted sandbags and heavy stones, while Greeks lifted U-shaped stone weights called “halteres”— the precursor to the modern-day dumbbell.
Ancient societies understood the benefits of exercising with weights, and our modern-day society does, too. There are reasons why we feel so good this exercise, and understanding those reasons could benefit your overall health in the long run.
1. Improved Bone Strength
Weight-bearing exercise benefits bone health in several ways. It delays bone loss, which occurs as we age. After age 50, men and women start losing approximately 1 percent of bone mass every year. Training with weights is a natural way to help maintain bone strength.
Research also indicates that it can rebuild bone by stimulating growth and increasing calcium within bones. The stress and pressure from weight training can strengthen bone density. It's also an important tool for preventing or at least delaying osteoporosis. In particular, post-menopausal women benefit from weight training, as bone loss is common during menopause.
