What is a typical benefit of strength training?

Increased muscle mass is a typical benefit of strength training because this form of exercise specifically targets muscles, stimulating growth through resistance against weights or body weight. When you engage in strength training, you create small tears in the muscle fibers, which then repair and adapt, resulting in larger and stronger muscles over time. This process is enhanced by proper nutrition and rest, leading to a significant increase in muscle mass.

While options such as improved flexibility, enhanced cardiovascular fitness, and reduced body fat can also result from a regular exercise regimen, these are typically not the primary outcomes associated with strength training. Increased flexibility is often achieved through stretching rather than resistance training alone, while cardiovascular fitness is more directly impacted by aerobic exercises. Reduced body fat can certainly be a result of an efficient strength training program, but it is more of an indirect benefit that can vary based on factors such as diet and overall calorie expenditure. The primary, most direct outcome of strength training remains the increase in muscle mass.