Strength training has many benefits. We all like to see visible improvements in the mirror, but look at this list of benefits. If you see some of your own health issues in the list, consider a weight training program with one of our trainers.

Strength training prevents muscle loss. Adults who do not strength train lose between five to seven pounds of muscle every decade. While cardio exercise improves our cardiovascular fitness, it does not prevent the loss of muscle tissue.

Strength training will increase your metabolism. Research shows that adding three pounds of muscle increases our resting metabolic rate by seven percent, and ups our daily calorie requirements by 15 percent.

Strength training will increase your muscle mass. Research shows that doing 25 minutes of strength exercise, three days a week can increase muscle mass by about three pounds over an eight-week training period.

Strength training will reduce your body fat. Increasing your muscle mass will increase your calorie burn, thereby reducing the likelihood of fat accumulation.

Strength training will increase your bone mineral density. Studies show that four months of strength training can result in significant increases in bone mineral density, which is important because we naturally lose bone density as we age. In this way, strength training helps protect against fractures, "shrinking" and osteoporosis.

Strength training will improve your glucose metabolism. This improvement is one of the many ways a healthy exercise routine can fight diabetes.

Strength training will speed up your digestion. Delayed digestion puts you at a higher risk for colon cancer.

Strength training reduces your resting blood pressure. Strength training alone has been shown to reduce resting blood pressure significantly. Combining strength and aerobic exercise is an even more effective means of improving blood pressure readings.

Strength training will relieve lower back pain. Years of research on strength training and back pain show that strong back muscles are less likely to be injured than weaker back muscles.

Strength training will reduce arthritis pain. Studies show that sensible strength training eases the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is good news, because most men and women who suffer from arthritis pain need strength exercise to develop stronger muscles, bones, and connective tissue.