There are countless reasons why you should abandon your purely cardio queen ways and incorporate strength training into your workout, too. For starters, you'll look more toned and could lose weight. And now, get this: Building muscle mass could also help older adults live longer, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine.
For the study, researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles analyzed mortality data on 3,659 people ages 55 and up that was collected over a 16-year time period. Rather than looking at the participants' BMIs, which is what scientists typically focus on in mortality studies, they looked at their muscle mass. The result: Total mortality rate was significantly lower in participants with more muscle mass than those with less.
Now, we know that you're likely still a little young to fit into the study's 55-plus age bracket. Even so, it can't hurt to make strength training a habit sooner rather than later. Check out these seven ways to balance cardio and strength training, then try one of the many strength-training workouts on our site. Just pick which area(s) you want to target, and get started:
Annie Daly is a New York City-based freelance writer, editor, and author who specializes in wellness, travel, and culture. She is the author of Destination Wellness (2021), and co-author of Island Wisdom (2022). A former editor at SELF, Cosmopolitan, BuzzFeed Travel, Yahoo Travel, and Good Housekeeping, she has also written for a variety of publications, including Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Marie Claire, InStyle, and AFAR, among others. To follow her work, find her on IG @anniemdaly and subscribe to her Substack, Destination Wellness.
