Have you often been motivated or coaxed by a loved one to take up some form of exercise to become healthy and fit? Perhaps it has been quite difficult for you to start an exercise routine and stick to it, either due to the pressures of modern life or from sheer laziness. You should know that a little perseverance on your part can yield rich results, as the benefits of gym workouts are many.

Gym workouts are one of the best ways to turn healthy and fit, and increase your energy levels. A good workout fights obesity and heart problems by improving blood circulation to your heart. It also does the same for your brain, making you mentally fit and reducing the degeneration of your central nervous system, which controls coordination. It also lowers the chances of a stroke.

Your self-esteem is often linked to your appearance. Gym workouts can help you lose weight and ensure better posture, revealing a fitter, healthier version of you. In turn, this transformation can boost your self-esteem and confidence to no end.

Gym workouts are also known to lower stress levels, as exercise releases increased amounts of endorphins, an endogenous (internal) opiate, and calming hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate anxiety levels.

Another major advantage of gym workouts is that the gym instructor puts together the appropriate fitness plan for you, tailored towards your specific needs. This ensures that you get the maximum benefits from your workouts.

So before you become a couch potato and once again stall your plans to hit the gym, read these five major benefits of gym workouts.

The Five Major Health Benefits Of Gym Workouts

Benefits Of Gym Workouts #1 – Prevents Heart Diseases And Cancer

Regular gym workouts reduce the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol that clogs the arteries. They also increase the levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), a good type of cholesterol, as a result preventing cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

Exercise improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and optimizes the heart’s functioning capacity, which in turn reduces the development of blood clots. Gym workouts also help prevent and control non insulin-dependent diabetes as increased fitness leads to better weight management.

According to research conducted by the Seattle Cancer Research Center  a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are linked to at least 35% of cancer deaths.

The growth of cancer has been correlated with high levels of insulin. Working out regularly reduces the level of insulin in the body. Also. breast cancer in women has been linked to high levels of the hormone estrogen, which can be lowered by regular exercise.

Benefits Of Gym Workouts #2 – Prevents Osteoporosis, Improves Muscle Strength And Joint Mobility

Gym workouts that include weight lifting, squats, aerobics, and running prevent bone loss and help in the building and strengthening of bones. Low bone mass causes osteoporosis, which makes the bones brittle and prone to fractures. Working out accelerates the growth of new bone structures. It also increases the supply of oxygen and blood to the bones and the surrounding tissues. This helps in the repair and preservation of tissues.

Workouts that strengthen the body muscles and boost the body’s metabolism help you undertake daily tasks with renewed energy. This is because exercise boosts the nutrient and oxygen supply to the tissues and its utilization by the body. Regular gym workouts also improve joint mobility and flexibility. This helps prevent and control arthritis, an ailment that causes stiffness and pain in the joints.

Benefits Of Gym Workouts #3 – Helps In Weight Management

Gym workouts are the easiest way to work off the extra calories that lead to unhealthy fat accumulation in the body. Any form of workout burns the calories consumed, leading to more energy, healthy body mass, and a fitter and leaner appearance. Exercise helps reduce body fat by converting it into muscle mass and also helps prevent many health problems commonly linked to obesity, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Benefits Of Gym Workouts #4 – Helps In Sleeping Better

Working out helps you sleep soundly and peacefully, eliminating any existent insomnia. This is because when you exercise, the body releases neurochemicals called endorphins that help the body relax and attain a level of emotional security. Exercise also reduces stress levels, relieves aches and pains, and helps you sleep more soundly.

According to the South African Memory Resource Center, exercise during the day encourages the onset of sleep and improves its quality as well.

Benefits Of Gym Workouts #5 – Exercises The Brain

A research conducted by the University of Illinois found that the brain responses of active seniors were at par with those of young adults.

The circulation of blood and oxygen to the brain gets a boost with exercise, which aids in the growth of nerve cells that control memory in the brain. This increases the level of certain brain chemicals that sustain new brain cells and their connections.

The Alzheimer’s Research Center endorses exercise as the best defense against Alzheimer’s. Working out protects and increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that manages memory and keeps you mentally young and alert.

The benefits of gym workouts are not just relegated to inner health and fitness. They also lead to an overall feel good factor that enhances your self-esteem and bolsters your confidence. So hit the gym and enjoy the high it gives you while you shed those extra kilos!