Pass the free weights—a new study has us feeling even better about our cardio routine.
, also points out that strength training tends to reduce body fat and build lean muscle mass. “That will often make you healthier overall and help you have less body weight,” he says. On the flip side, having overweight or obesity puts you at risk of a slew of health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, Matheny says.
Strength training, along with aerobic exercise, could “have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body which may be associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease and cancer,” Dr. Bilchik says. But, he adds, this needs to be studied more.If strength training isn't a part of your regular routine, Pivarnik recommends starting slow by adding things like light weights and resistance bands into your exercise routine.