Why Going to the Gym is So Good for You

We all know going to the gym is good for us, but it's the wide ranging health benefits which may surprise you…

I've been doing research (so you don't have to) and it's actually what you do at the gym which is critical to really improving your health. And it turns out that building strength and exercising at a higher intensity (high intensity interval training - HIIT), provides wide ranging and surprising benefits.

8 reasons why building strength and HIIT based training is incredible for your health…

1. High Intensity exercise reduces the risk of cancer by over 70% - research now shows that high intensity exercise creates an "exercise-induced metabolic shield" that enhances the immune system's ability to recognise and eliminate cancer cells. This is truely incredible!

2. It improves your heart health - regular strength-training exercise can decrease blood pressure, lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and improve blood circulation by strengthening the heart and blood vessels.

3. Strength training is crucial for bone development - weight-bearing exercises put temporary stress on your bones, sending a message to bone-building cells to take action and rebuild stronger. Having strong bones reduces your risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and falls - especially as you age.

4. It reduces your risk of injury by 33% - strength training enables you to live life more easily and reduce injury when doing things like moving furniture or playing with your kids/grandkids. Or in my case showing off to my kids ha ha

5. It boosts your metabolism - strength training allows you to burn more calories even after your workout - so when you're sitting on the couch watching Netflix in the evening, you're still burning calories! Amazing!

6. Strength training improves your brain health - those who engage in strength training may have better brain health and protection against age-related cognitive decline.

7. Strength training decreases abdominal fat - this reduces the risk of heart disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Oh, and a flatter stomach would be nice too

8. It boosts your self-confidence - when you're fit and strong you feel powerful and confident, it can have incredible flow on effects in all areas of life

It's clear that strength based and high intensity interval training (HIIT) has incredible benefits. But it's worth remembering that exercise in-general has the benefits of reducing levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol - and stimulates the production of endorphins, or chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. So as long as you're exercising then you're unlocking benefits to various degrees.

So if you're ready to find an incredible local gym and get started. Head over to the Little Pink Book for Mums and find a trusted gym partner near you!

Connect with you again soon lovely.

Kirsty xoxo