For those who dread the monotony of jogging or cycling, new research has delivered some welcome news: lifting weights may be a more effective way to shed unwanted pounds and manage diabetes than traditional cardio exercise.
According to a study conducted on mice at Virginia Tech, incorporating strength training into your fitness routine can yield superior results when it comes to burning fat and improving insulin sensitivity. The scientists put three groups of obese mice through different regimens: one had to lift weighted lids to access their food, mimicking resistance training; another was strapped with weights that targeted specific muscle groups while on a running wheel, simulating endurance exercise; and the third group did neither.
The results showed that both weightlifting and running reduced abdominal fat and improved blood sugar control, but weightlifting outperformed running in terms of insulin sensitivity. This is significant because insulin resistance is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The study's lead researcher, Zhen Yan, emphasizes the importance of combining endurance and resistance exercises for optimal health benefits. "Our data showed that both running and weightlifting reduce fat in the abdomen and under the skin and improve blood glucose maintenance with better insulin signaling in skeletal muscle," he said. "Importantly, weightlifting outperforms running in these health benefits."
It's worth noting that the findings don't mean people should abandon aerobic exercise entirely; rather, incorporating strength training into their routine can enhance overall fitness and increase calorie burn.
With federal health guidelines recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activities, it seems that adding weightlifting to one's workout routine could be a game-changer for those looking to tackle obesity and diabetes. By preserving and enhancing muscle mass through strength training, individuals can boost metabolism and increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
According to a study conducted on mice at Virginia Tech, incorporating strength training into your fitness routine can yield superior results when it comes to burning fat and improving insulin sensitivity. The scientists put three groups of obese mice through different regimens: one had to lift weighted lids to access their food, mimicking resistance training; another was strapped with weights that targeted specific muscle groups while on a running wheel, simulating endurance exercise; and the third group did neither.
The results showed that both weightlifting and running reduced abdominal fat and improved blood sugar control, but weightlifting outperformed running in terms of insulin sensitivity. This is significant because insulin resistance is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The study's lead researcher, Zhen Yan, emphasizes the importance of combining endurance and resistance exercises for optimal health benefits. "Our data showed that both running and weightlifting reduce fat in the abdomen and under the skin and improve blood glucose maintenance with better insulin signaling in skeletal muscle," he said. "Importantly, weightlifting outperforms running in these health benefits."
It's worth noting that the findings don't mean people should abandon aerobic exercise entirely; rather, incorporating strength training into their routine can enhance overall fitness and increase calorie burn.
With federal health guidelines recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activities, it seems that adding weightlifting to one's workout routine could be a game-changer for those looking to tackle obesity and diabetes. By preserving and enhancing muscle mass through strength training, individuals can boost metabolism and increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
... like who doesn't want to hear that lifting weights is better than cardio anyway? it's not like people are gonna start skipping their daily jog because they got a fancy scientific paper backing up weightlifting 
... and what about the mice? did they even get to keep their jobs after being strapped with weights while running on wheels 
? seriously though, insulin sensitivity is a big deal so yeah i guess this is kinda cool news 
, the more I'm convinced that weightlifting is where it's at 
We don't need to be stuck in a rut of monotony just because we love running or cycling. Lifting weights can be just as beneficial, if not more so! 
The key takeaway is that variety is the spice of life... or should I say, the spice of exercise! 
! I've been doing weightlifting for a while now, and I have to say, it's really helped me with my stress levels and energy levels. When you're pushing yourself in the gym, you don't even realize how much you're burning fat... trust me, it's a great feeling when you see those numbers on the scale go down 
!
especially when it comes to burning fat and improving insulin sensitivity. idk why everyone thinks weightlifting is just for bodybuilders lol its so much more than that. and the fact that it can help with osteoporosis is a big deal too 
Plus, combining strength training with cardio will likely give us the best results. Let's get lifting and running (and everything in between) to reach those 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week! 
but lifting weights doesn't have to be as painful 
. like, you can just do bodyweight exercises at home or go to the gym and lift some light weights 
. I mean who doesn't want to reduce their risk of osteoporosis in their 60s? 
. so yeah, let's give weightlifting a shot and see how it goes 
.