As little as 2-3 sessions per week for 20-30 minutes each can help you reap the benefits from strength training. Each session should cover all major muscle groups with compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, push-ups, and rows.

Life is a juggling act, often leaving little time for self-care. Amidst the chaos, one cornerstone often overlooked is strength training. Here’s why it’s crucial and how incorporating it into your routine can be a game-changer:

Impacts of Skipping Strength Training:

  • Reduced Functional Abilities: Neglecting strength training can lead to decreased functional abilities, impacting everyday tasks like lifting groceries or carrying your child.
  • Risk of Injury: Without strong muscles supporting your body, you become more susceptible to injuries, especially when trying to keep up with an active family life.
  • Metabolic Changes: Muscle mass plays a role in metabolism. A lack of strength training can contribute to a slower metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain and other health issues.
  • Long-term Health Risks: The absence of strength training could increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, impacting your ability to actively participate in your children’s lives.

Benefits of Adding Strength Training:

  • Increased Strength and Stamina: Even incorporating basic strength exercises can enhance your ability to handle daily physical demands, making parenting easier and more enjoyable.
  • Injury Prevention: Strong muscles provide better support and stability, reducing the risk of strains and injuries during day-to-day activities.
  • Metabolic Boost: Strength training stimulates muscle growth, which in turn boosts metabolism, aiding in weight management and overall health.
  • Improved Posture: Strengthening core and back muscles through exercises like planks and rows can significantly enhance posture, alleviating back pain caused by prolonged sitting or carrying children.
  • Bone Health: Regular strength training helps maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, which becomes increasingly important as we age, especially for parents wanting to stay active with their kids.
  • Mental Well-being: Exercise, including strength training, triggers the release of endorphins, enhancing mood and reducing stress. Neglecting this aspect can deprive you of a natural mood booster, essential for navigating the demands of parenthood.
  • Enhanced Sleep Quality: Regular exercise, including strength training, has been linked to improved sleep patterns. For parents with erratic sleep schedules, this can be a game-changer in feeling more refreshed and energized.
  • Boosted Confidence: Achieving strength and fitness goals can boost self-confidence, positively impacting how you engage with your family and tackle the challenges of parenthood.

At GSD, we have several options available to you to get started/resume your strength training journey. Start with 2x 30 minute sessions with a coach one-on-one, build confidence in your technique. As you build that confidence, join one of our group classes, where we work the key compound movements to give you the stimulus to build muscle – choose from our 3/week or unlimited membership options!

In the whirlwind of our lives, neglecting strength training might seem like a minor oversight. However, its impact on your overall health and well-being is profound. Making time for even a few sessions a week can make a world of difference to the quality of your life both now and well into the future.