Understanding Strength Training
Strength training is a type of exercise that focuses on building muscle strength and endurance through resistance to force. It encompasses different forms of exercise, including weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and resistance band workouts. Strength training is not only essential for building muscle mass and toning but also plays a significant role in overall health and fitness. Incorporating strength training into your fitness routine can help increase bone density, improve joint health, reduce the risk of injury, and even enhance mental health.
The Benefits of Strength Training
Strength training is not just about building muscles. There are numerous benefits that come with this type of exercise:
- Increased metabolism: Strength training helps build muscle mass which, in turn, increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR). A higher BMR means that you burn more calories even while sedentary, making it easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
- Improved bone density: By stressing your bones through resistance, strength training helps improve bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, especially in older adults.
- Increased joint health: Strengthening muscles around your joints helps increase their stability and reduce the risk of injury or strain.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Strength training has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
- Enhanced mental health: Strength training has been linked to improved cognitive function and mood, with studies showing that it can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The Best Strength Training on iFit
With the rise in popularity of home workouts, many people are turning to online fitness platforms such as iFit to get their strength training fix. iFit is a comprehensive fitness platform that offers a wide range of workouts, including strength training, cardio, yoga, and more. Here are some of the best strength training workouts on iFit:
1. Bodyweight Strength Training with Gideon Akande
Gideon Akande is a fitness expert and iFit trainer who specializes in bodyweight strength training. His workouts are designed to help you build strength and endurance using only your bodyweight. The workouts are perfect for people who don’t have access to gym equipment or prefer to work out at home. Some of the workouts offered include:
- Bodyweight Burnout: This workout is designed to challenge your entire body using only bodyweight exercises such as burpees, push-ups, and squats.
- Total Body Toning: This workout focuses on building lean muscle mass and toning your entire body using bodyweight exercises such as lunges, planks, and crunches.
- Quick HIIT: This workout is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session that uses bodyweight exercises to help you burn calories and build strength.
2. Strength Training with Tommy Rivers Puzey
Tommy Rivers Puzey is an iFit trainer and elite ultramarathoner who specializes in strength training for runners. His workouts are designed to help runners build strength and prevent injuries. Some of the workouts offered include:
- Runner’s Strength: This workout is designed to help runners build strength in their lower body using exercises such as lunges, squats, and calf raises.
- Upper Body Strength: This workout focuses on building upper body strength using exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, and tricep dips.
- Core Strength: This workout is designed to help runners build core strength and stability using exercises such as planks, sit-ups, and Russian twists.
3. Resistance Band Workouts with Hannah Eden
Hannah Eden is an iFit trainer and fitness expert who specializes in resistance band workouts. Her workouts are designed to help you build strength and endurance using resistance bands. Resistance bands are an excellent alternative to weights and can be used anywhere, making them perfect for home workouts. Some of the workouts offered include:
- Full-Body Resistance Band: This workout is designed to challenge your entire body using resistance bands. You’ll perform exercises such as bicep curls, tricep extensions, and squats.
- Resistance Band Burnout: This workout is a high-intensity resistance band workout that will challenge your entire body and help you burn calories.
- Resistance Band Mobility: This workout focuses on improving mobility and flexibility using resistance bands. You’ll perform exercises such as leg swings, shoulder circles, and hip openers.
Conclusion
Strength training is essential for overall health and fitness. Incorporating strength training into your fitness routine can help increase metabolism, improve bone density, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and enhance mental health. iFit offers a wide range of strength training workouts, including bodyweight exercises, strength training for runners, and resistance band workouts. By incorporating these workouts into your fitness routine, you can build strength and endurance from the comfort of your home.