The Top 7 Benefits of Adding Muscle

Why should someone add muscle to their body?

The short answer: It’s great for your health.

Keep in mind that we aren’t talking about huge amounts of muscle. Sometimes people think of  bodybuilders when they hear the word “muscle,” but this article will address smaller amounts of muscle added to people who want to be generally healthy and active.

The media discusses the obesity epidemic, but “sarcopenia” is never discussed. Sarcopenia is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength.

This condition is more common in the elderly, but many people start losing muscle in their 30s. Webmd.com states that inactive people can lose between three and five percent of their muscle mass in every decade after they turn 30.

This might not seem like a big deal, but if you lose muscle, you will lose the ability to perform tasks, and become more prone to injury. Eventually, you might not be able to live independently.

Great News: Strength training works at any age.

When younger, training can be used to build muscle. When in your 30s, strength training can add muscle if you train properly, and can definitely slow the inevitable loss of muscle as you age. People in the 70s can add muscle and gain strength, too, even if not as quickly as they did when they were younger.

So what are the benefits of muscle? Here are seven of them:

1. Muscle increases your ability to do everyday tasks—If strong, one will not struggle to pick up the kids, move that box or just stand up. And, related to that, strength training creates a sense of confidence because of the increased ability to do more.
2. Muscle prevents injuries—If muscles and bones are weak, it is much easier to damage them. And weak, unbalanced muscles leave your joints unprotected. If one has a good amount of muscle injuries can be avoided.
3. Muscle helps preserve a healthy body weight—with more muscle, one will burn more calories at rest, which makes it harder to gain excess weight. Besides, people with strong muscles are generally active because they like to use them in fun activities, which makes it even harder to add body fat.
4. Muscle improves posture and prevents aches and pains—As you lose muscle, your body can start to “sag,” and that causes all kinds of problems. Think about someone whose rounded shoulders cause a lot of pain. If you build some muscle, you’ll add a ton of “support structure,” and your body will feel great.
5. Muscles helps you perform better in sports–If you enjoy playing any sport, muscle will help you achieve better results (and avoid injuries, too). You will be stronger, faster and more powerful.
6. Muscle has aesthetic benefits—Some people do not care about this at all, but others really appreciate the way they look when they carry some muscle.
7. Muscle building has mental-health benefits—Studies have suggested that strength training can boost self-esteem and help people deal with depression, anxiety and stress. Strength training has no negative side effects, and you can even train with a partner or in a group to make it a super-fun social experience.

Overall, a little muscle goes a long way—and Alpha Omega has the facility, equipment, and knowledge to support you achieve more muscle.