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Learn more. by Heather Black, CPT Reviewed by Heather Black, CPT Heather Black, CPT is a NASM-certified personal trainer and owner of Heather Black Fitness & Nutrition where she offers remote and in-person training and nutrition coaching. Learn about our Review Board Updated on April 13, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Strength training is a form of exercise that helps build muscle. It uses weight from your body mass or equipment to build muscle mass and increase overall strength. Over time, lean muscle mass naturally decreases with age. Strength training helps maintain and build muscle mass, which is important for overall health. It’s beneficial for strengthening muscles and bones, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving your ability to perform everyday activities. Frequently Asked Questions Do runners need strength training? A runner’s main form of exercise is likely cardio and aerobic training, but runners can also benefit from strength training. Cardio is necessary for heart health and weight management, but it doesn’t increase muscle mass like strength training. Runners should incorporate some strength training into their routines for balance. Learn More: Strength Training for Runners Is strength training better than cardio? Both strength training and cardio have their advantages. One is not outright better than the other. Cardio helps build stamina and endurance, and strength training works to increase strength and muscle mass. Learn More: Cardio and Strength Training: Why You Should Do Both What should I eat before strength training? A high-carbohydrate meal with a moderate amount of protein and low amount of fat can fuel your strength training session. Complex carbohydrates provide energy. Follow the strength training session with a high-protein snack or meal. Learn More: How You Should Eat for Weight Training Do I need equipment for strength training? Equipment is not required for strength training, but it comes in handy. Beginners can start with exercises that only require body weight, such as push-ups and pull-ups. You can gradually increase the weight using dumbbells, weighted barbells, and kettlebells. Learn More: The Best Home Gym Equipment of 2022 Key Terms Functional Strength Training Isometric Exercises Muscle Endurance Resistance Training Functional Strength Training There are different types of strength training, and functional strength training is one of them. This is when you target multiple muscles per exercise rather than isolate just one. Lunging is an example of this, since it works muscles across the legs, hips, knees, and ankles all at once. How to Improve Your Functional Strength Isometric Exercises Isometric exercises are also known as static strength training. This is when your muscles are engaged, but they are not changing length. In some exercises, such as bicep curls, the muscle gets shorter and longer during the contraction. In isometric exercises, such as planks and wall sits, the muscle contraction doesn’t involve a change in length. Many isometric exercises require you to hold the exercise rather than repeat a movement. Isometric Training Is Crucial for Building Strength Muscle Endurance This refers to the amount of time or repetitions you can perform an exercise before the muscle gets tired. Toward the end of your workout, you may notice your muscles feeling fatigued. They may burn towards the end of your set. Over time, your muscle endurance will improve and you can perform more repetitions. How to Improve Muscular Strength and Definition Resistance Training Resistance training is a form of strength training. It uses resistance to strengthen the muscles. Resistance bands are a good example of this, but resistance is also used in pilates, cable workouts, and weighted exercises. Exercises like squats and lunges are examples of resistance training since your muscles are working against the weight of your dumbbells, body weight, or barbells. 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