Benefits of strength training - Expert Advice on Health and Fitness - Brief Article

Q Since I turned 30 a couple of years ago, I go to the gym pretty often to try to stay healthy. Now that I'm in better shape, I'm thinking about strength training. What are the benefits that I can expect? S.D., Washington, D.C.

A A safe strength-training program combined with cardiovascular and flexibility training provide the benefits of a total fitness program. The most obvious benefit of strength training is increased muscle mass. Due to decreased activity, doctors say most adults lose about a half pound of muscle per year after age 20. When muscle mass increases, more calories are burned at rest and it's easier to maintain a healthy body weight.

In addition to improvements in strength and muscle tone, endurance increases. Doctors and fitness experts say research continues to show that strength training also increases bone strength and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

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