The short answer to this question is a resounding ‘YESSSSSS!’ Byeee thank you for reading!
Just kidding, there’s more!
I think strength training should actually be the foundation for fitness for the large majority of people. Increasing strength, muscle mass, bone mineral density, along with improved tendon and ligament strength is something everyone should want, especially as they get older. I think far too many people get stuck on the train of thought where cardio is all they need, and completely neglect other parameters of fitness.
Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with cardio in and of itself! It’s great for improving endurance and heart function, but it can only do so much. If I had a nickel for every time someone told me ‘Hey I can run a marathon, my legs are strong enough!!!’ I’d have like, eh, well ok I’d have like 15 cents.
Joking aside, cardio is great for certain things, and not so great for others. Unless you are completely detrained, cardio will absolutely not help build muscle or improve strength beyond most minimalistic levels. Strength training is what helps build strong, powerful muscles, not jogging or running marathons.
Of course, strength training can be particularly difficult to get into too. There is a lot of information out there, some good, some bad, some absolutely terrible. The important thing is, you find something that you can stick to long term and can make consistent progress. (Unless said program is just doing doing chest and biceps everyday, not that there’s anything WRONG with having giant pecs and arms and tiny legs you swoldier!)
Additionally, I’ve found that strength training helps with chronic aches and pains. I’ve had a number of clients tell me that their back, knees, shoulders, etc.. have never felt better once they start doing strength training. Of course massage therapy can help with that too (shameless plug?) but ideally you would be doing both in order to manage chronic issues. Note the term chronic, please don’t try deadlifting 400lbs if you have recently slipped a disc in your back in hopes you will feel better afterwards.
If you haven’t already, definitely consider adding some strength training to your exercise routine. If you don’t have an exercise routine, well there’s no better time to get started that 10 minutes ago! So go!!!!
