Tiff Kreps, NASM CPT, Studio Manager and Personal Trainer at MHM Fitness Strength training is constantly rebranded to support the ever-changing beauty, fitness, and health standards of society. Mantras like “Strong is the new skinny” and “More reps, less excuses” infiltrate our daily lives through commercials, magazines, Instagram reels, and other media, influencing our perception of how exercising can change our bodies to fit acceptable cultural norms. But strength training is about so much more than muscle gains. The messaging around strength training can be confusing and complicated but the facts are simple: strength training benefits your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As a personal trainer and a mom of three children 5 and under, I can personally testify that strength training for me is about more than muscle and staying healthy physically. I am drawn to the mental health benefits that accompany exercise. Going to the gym is like the equivalent of going on a field trip after a day at home. I have the opportunity to engage in conversations with other adults, be in tune with my own body’s needs, and move in a way that supports me. Strength training can improve your mood and sharpen your cognitive skills (goodbye brain fog!). A natural antidepressant, exercise reduces cortisol levels (fight-or-flight) and releases endorphins that make you feel better than when you started. Consistent strength training can also support feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem which fosters resiliency far beyond the gym walls. There is also scientific backing for the benefits of strength training as a form of resistance training in which exercises are designed to improve muscular strength, size, and endurance. Some common tools in resistance and strength training are dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises to prevent muscle loss and injury as we age. It’s about supporting functional movement that can improve your daily life, contributing to overall health and longevity. Strength training is known to help with various ailments that can become more difficult to deal with as our body ages. For example, strength training increases bone mineral density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis and reversing osteopenia. It can also improve the flexibility of the joints which ultimately optimizes the skeletal muscle system of the body for daily movement. Consistent strength training programs completed two to three times per week for 20-30 minutes are effective in improving the general strength, flexibility, and balance demanded by daily tasks, keeping your body safe at any age. Another body system that is important to protect and strengthen is the cardiovascular system. It is undeniably an important aspect of general health and wellbeing. Strength training can help with this too! With strength training exercises, a person can strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Because it promotes muscle growth, strength training helps to increase the resting metabolic rate of the body. Consistent strength training improves metabolic health by improving cholesterol and managing blood sugar. Strength training can significantly decrease the risk of a heart attack or stroke by up to 70%- just a subtle flex. My Health Matters Fitness in Hadley, Ma is an award-winning fitness studio that is HAES- aligned (Health At Every Size), weight-neutral, size-inclusive and anti-diet. We are here to support you in finding joy on your movement journey, whatever your goals may be. With no mirrors, scales, or measurements, MHM Fitness is a brave space to explore the multiple benefits strength training can provide you. Check out our website at WWW.MHMFITWELL.COM for more information or email us at INFO@MHMFITWELL.COM to chat with a member of our team!

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