This Is Why Everyone Should Strength Train At Least Once A Week

I used to subscribe to the notion that strength training was going to make me "bulky." Little did I know I was missing out on one of the best ways to tone up, ignite my metabolism, and improve my posture.

As soon as I incorporated at least one day of total body strength training per week, I quickly noticed a difference in my shape and in the way I carry myself. (Yes, even once a week can have an impact!) I saw physical results, like a tighter physique and increased strength, but even more so, I reaped psychological benefits. I feel better mentally and physically than I ever have, and that's, in part, thanks to strength training.

Here are the top reasons you (and everyone you know) should strength train, too.

Strength training elevates your metabolism

Strength training raises excess post oxygen consumption (EPOC). This is important to all of us since this process can raise your metabolism for up to 24 hours after your workout concludes. This change allows the body to burn fat more efficiently throughout the day while securing sustained energy. Additionally, lean muscle improves posture, sculpts the physique, and protects our bones.

It can help you beat your sugar cravings

Another big advantage of working out with weights is improving glucose metabolism. Strength training boosts the number of proteins that take glucose out of the blood and transport it into the skeletal muscle. This gives the muscles more energy and lowers overall blood-glucose levels. The body's insulin response will be lowered, which limits rapid blood sugar spikes. Not only is this important for beating cravings, but it also keeps our bodies from holding on to unnecessary fat.

Sitting all day? Strength training reduces the negative effects

A strong foundation (aka a strong body) helps take pressure off the joints. When we sit for long periods of time, we lose activation in our core and glutes. This leads to added pressure in places like the lower back. In order to avoid this issue, it is incredibly beneficial (and imperative) to strengthen these muscle groups—that way these muscles can support the body at all times, even in passive situations. 

So if you haven't given strength training a try, you now have three solid reasons to get started. Grab a friend, grab some weights, and watch your life and body change before your eyes.

This One Exercise Will Strengthen Your Core — STAT

Planks are one of the most effective exercises out there. They can ignite your metabolism, improve circulation to the brain, and help the body and mind reach peak performance. That said, many people do them incorrectly or do the same type of plank over and over again—and really, where's the fun in that?

That's why I designed this four-minute plank routine that you can do anywhere and everywhere—it requires no space, and if you do it often enough, your core will be solid in no time.

Why we should all do planks

Planks engage the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, obliques, and glutes. This is important because each muscle group serves a different purpose, and together they protect your body from injury.

The transverse abdominis increases abdominal pressure so you can lift more weight, which is needed to increase your strength. The rectus abdominis improves performance in sports that require jumping, while the obliques are responsible for side-bending and waist-twisting moves. The glutes take pressure off the back and reduces risk of injury (looking at you, folks with lower-back pain). Any type of plank will boost energy and improve productivity—and in this quick workout, I give you four different plank variations to try.

The 4-minute plank workout

The workout is simple: Do four different types of planks in four minutes. I've varied the types of planks included and explained what proper form looks like for each of them.

The circuit looks like this:

• 1 minute regular forearm plank

• 1 minute side plank (30 seconds on right, 30 seconds on left)

• 1 minute straight-arm plank

• 1 minute straight-arm plank with shoulder touches

Never done these before? Check out my step-by-step instructions for how to do each below!

Forearm Plank

• Come onto your forearms with legs extended straight back.

• Clasp hands and bring elbows directly under your shoulders.

• Come up onto the balls of your feet, forming a straight line from head to heels.

• Draw belly button toward your spine. Engage quads and glutes the entire time.

• Hold for 60 seconds.

Side Plank

• Come onto your right forearm with elbow under shoulder and feet stacked.

• Lift your hips as high you can, forming a straight line from head to heels.

• Extend your left arm directly over shoulder, and press right hand into the mat.

• Keep core engaged the entire time.

• Hold for 30 seconds on each side.

Straight-Arm Plank

• Place your hands under your shoulders and come up onto the balls of your feet.

• Keep your arms fully extended, and gaze toward the floor.

• Squeeze your shoulder blades together and draw your belly button toward your spine.

• Keep your quads and glutes engaged the entire time.

• Hold for 60 seconds.

Straight-Arm Plank With Shoulder Touch

*This is the same as the straight-arm plank above, just adding alternating shoulder touches!

• Place your hands under your shoulders and come up onto the balls of your feet.

• Bring your feet wider than mat width.

• Keep your arms extended straight, and gaze toward the floor.

• While keeping your hips still, bring your right hand up to touch left shoulder.

• Return to center, and bring left hand up to touch right shoulder.

• Continue to alternate, keeping your torso and legs as still as possible.

• Do this for 60 seconds straight.