Some of the seriously hot benefits you'll score from lifting:
Long-term strength training results in lower levels of chronic inflammation and a lower risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. An intense weight-centric (rather than moderate cardio-centric) exercise approach also helps balance hunger, energy, and cravings, says Jill Coleman, cofounder of Metabolic Effect in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Strength training boosts your body's natural release of human growth hormone, which aids in the turnover of muscle and bone, increases your fat metabolism, and provides a healthier body composition in later life.
According to a 2010 study, participants who followed a strength-training plan improved their memory, quality of sleep, and self-esteem.
People who lifted for at least four months had a healthier immune response in their skeletal muscle tissue after workouts, reports a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Regular resistance exercise increases white-cell counts, which may be helpful for fighting certain infections.