While many stick to the treadmill or elliptical when they go to the gym, figuring that the point of exercise is just to burn calories, recent workout trends have begun to emphasize the importance of strength training. Although it may not torch as many calories as an hour on the elliptical, strength training at the gym or home at 3800 Main has many other benefts. Here are the three most important ones:

1. It also strengthens your bones. As you get older, so do your bones. As a result, they tend to become more brittle and prone to breaking. Weight lifting puts just enough stress on your bones to keep them dense and strong, which could help ward off osteoporosis in your later years.
2. It helps you maintain a healthy weight. When your body loses fat and replaces it with muscle, your metabolism gets a boost. That means that you'll be able to burn calories at a faster rate. So although you might not be burning as many calories during a 30-minute weight-lifting session as you would on a 30-minute run, you're working toward burning even more calories in the future.
3. It boosts your energy level. Any type of exercise will help keep your energy up, but strength-training in particular enhances your stamina. That means you'll be able to remain more focused throughout your day and retain a level of alertness that won't dissipate much with age.

Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier [Mayo Clinic]
7 Reasons to Add Strength Training to Your Workout Routine [Everyday Health]
Benefits of Strength Training [Body Building]

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