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February is American Heart Month, which shines a spotlight on heart disease and ways that we can reduce our risk by adopting healthier habits. Of course, we can’t look at how our lifestyle affects our cardiovascular health without considering physical fitness.
When most people think about heart-healthy exercise, their mind immediately goes to cardio. While it’s true that cardio activity is important, strength training is an oft overlooked component of a heart-healthy fitness routine.
The American Heart Association recommends strength training at least twice a week. (One study found that weight training even once a week can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke!)
What exactly does strength training do for your heart? Studies show that combining cardio and strength training is more effective in improving strength, lean body mass, and cardiovascular fitness than cardio alone. Strength training improves blood flow and circulation in the body, and helps improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plus, building lean muscle mass increases your metabolism, which helps the body burn more calories, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
