Fitness Focus – Upper Body
BENEFITS OF UPPER BODY STRENGTH
1. IT CAN IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE
Strengthening the muscles in the back encourages a more upright posture.
A strong back is essential for good posture. A large percentage of the population live very sedentary lives, either through being hunched over a computer, plonked behind a desk or sat at the wheel of a car all day. As a result, most suffer from posterior imbalances. The chest muscles tighten, the back muscles weaken and the shoulders round forward (a condition known as kyphosis). Strengthening the muscles in the back encourages you to hold your shoulders back. It also improves your core strength, forcing the body to sit up tall.
2. IT CAN GIVE OTHER WORKOUTS A BOOST
Good upper-body strength will help you to get more out of your workouts
Improving your upper-body strength can also help your ability in other workouts. The majority of HIIT workouts and circuit classes contain upper-body exercises, such as planks, press-ups or mountain climbers, which require a good base level of upper-body strength. By strengthening your upper body, you will be able to make the most out of these workouts without having to regress the movements.
Working on your upper body also has benefits if you do endurance-based activities. Strong shoulders are important for cyclists to help position the top half of their body over the handlebars, with arms and shoulders taking a large part of the impact of the ride. It can also benefit swimmers, helping to propel them through the water more efficiently.
3. YOU WILL IMPROVE YOUR METABOLISM
A great side effect of strength training is its metabolism-boosting power. Like HIIT training, strength training is an excellent way to get rid of excess body fat when paired with a controlled calorie deficit diet – giving you a leaner, more toned appearance.
Ultimately, the more muscle mass you have, the higher your resting metabolic rate (and therefore the more calories you burn by just existing). Also, unlike traditional cardio, strength training causes you to continue burning more calories for up to 72 hours after the exercise is over.
4. IT’S INCREDIBLY REWARDING
Reaching a new fitness goal feels good physically and mentally. In terms of your upper body, this could be performing an unassisted pull-up, a full-range push-up, or progressing up to a heavier set of weights for an exercise like an overhead press.
5. EVERYDAY TASKS BECOME EASIER
Functional strength training can increase your capacity to go about your daily life – whether that’s picking things up or putting them down or pushing and pulling various objects. It’s moving your body with a purpose to improve your strength, balance, coordination and posture. You want a healthy body that not only looks good but can move freely of injury and last you for many years to come.
As a result of being stronger at life’s daily tasks, and a transformation of your body, you may find that your confidence starts to improve, too. This can greatly enhance your relationships, be that at work, with friends or a spouse.
ADDITIONAL PERKS:
Boost your workouts
The strength of your upper body can even help you in other training areas! HIIT workouts and circuit classes often involve exercises that require arm, back, chest, and shoulder strength. Planks, mountain climbers, and push-ups are examples of HIIT exercises that require full body strength. A strong base is important to perform well and get the most out of those types of workout classes!
Exercises like cycling and swimming require it as well. In order to position their body over the handlebars, cyclists need strong shoulders, and their arms and shoulders generally take most of the impact. Swimmers also need a strong torso and arms to help propel them through the water.
Streamlines everyday tasks
Most people go into exercise with the mindset that they want to lose weight, but the benefits go far beyond that. To be able to move freely with a reduced risk of injury and potentially live a longer life, you want a healthy body that looks AND feels good! Well guess what? Strength training can help!
Daily tasks, such as pushing and pulling things, picking up and putting things down, can be made easier with training. Weight training not only helps build strength, but it also improves balance, coordination, and posture.
Helps build a positive body image
We now know that having a strong upper body helps with posture, boosts other workouts, makes daily life easier, and gives you more confidence! Studies have shown that women who combine strength training with cardio have a more positive body image. Lifting weights won’t make you bulky! Most women do not engage in rigorous bodybuilding routines and produce one tenth of the testosterone men do.
Now, for today’s workout!
- Let me know if you did the workout.
- Was it hard?