Strength training is a kind of physical exercise which uses resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and skeletal muscles.
When properly done, strength training can provide significant functional benefits and improvement in overall health and well-being, including such benefits as increased muscle, bone, tendon and ligament strength and toughness, improved cardiac function,improved joint function, reduced potential for injury, increased fitness,increased bone density, increased metabolism, and improved lipoprotein lipid profiles, including elevated HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
As an athlete, strength training is essential. The following sports require strength training:bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, strongman, track,shotput, discus throw, and javelin throw. Many other sports use strength training as part of their training regimen, notably football, basketbal, wrestling, rowing, lacrosse, hockey, polefitness and soccer. Strength training for other sports and physical activities is becoming increasingly popular.
Training commonly uses the technique of progressively increasing the intensity output of the muscle through incremental weight increases and varying exercises and types of equipment for muscle confusion to avoid plateaus and to target specific muscle groups. Strength training is primarily an anaerobic activity, although some athletes have adapted it to provide the benefits of aerobic exercise through circuit training using rapid sets without rest between sets.