Sometime soon, warmer weather will be here to stay and we’ll all rush outdoors to do everything we love. Hiking, biking, trail running, all of it. We can’t wait.

But it’s also important to maintain, or start, your strength training program to complement your outdoor activities. Doing so will benefit your mind and body while you build lean muscle and increase your overall strength.

Strength training doesn’t have to mean hardcore weight lifting for hours at a time to bulk up. It certainly can, if that’s your personal goal, but most people benefit from muscle-toning exercise using the proper amount of weight and proper number of repetitions for their bodies. When you incorporate strength training into your routine, you’ll see a number of payoffs.

• Consistent strength training increases your bone density so you don’t become fragile as you age.
• You’ll be able to control your weight by burning more calories during your workouts while you improve muscle tone.
• Your stamina will increase steadily with regular workouts and your balance will improve.
• If you suffer from chronic pains, strength training can help alleviate discomfort and also combats the onset of certain diseases.
• Not only do your muscles benefit from strength training, but you also can become mentally sharper with regular workouts.

 

Find the Right Strength Training Program for You

Your physical fitness goals are unique, so it’s important to customize your workout for positive results. No matter how you like to exercise, there’s a strength training program that can fit you. Here are some examples of what you can do at the gym to see the benefits of strength training.

• Using your body’s weight resistance through pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups and squats can lead to noticeable, positive results.
• Resistance tubes feature various degrees of flexibility, which provide various levels of workout intensity.
• Barbells and dumbbells are great when you want to use free weights to reach your milestones.
• Weight machines are designed for working out specific parts of your body, and a knowledgeable trainer can ensure that you make the most of these exercises.

If you’ve been strength training through the winter, it’s important to carve out some time every week to maintain your routine, even as you’re looking for every opportunity to get outdoors.

If you aren’t involved in any strength training routine currently, consider the benefits and then ease into a program at the gym to see how it feels. As you increase your strength and gain more confidence, you can adjust your program to meet your needs.

And most importantly, keep working! All of the effort you’re expending today will lead to improvements tomorrow