A new study from the American Heart Association found that resistance exercise may be superior to aerobic exercise as a way to get better sleep.
“It is increasingly recognized that getting enough sleep, particularly high-quality sleep, is important for health, including cardiovascular health,” study author Angelique Brellenthin said in a news release. Brellenthin is an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University in Ames. “Unfortunately, more than a third of Americans don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis.”
What does this mean?
Should you give up your cardiovascular training? Stop running? Make the elliptical illegal?
No.
The data suggests, incorporating strength/resistance training into your workout regimen, will help you improve the quality of sleep over just doing your daily cardio.
How do you start?
Start by picking up some weights, do some dumbbell bench presses or use some of those machines in the gym. Make sure you pick a weight that provides resistance against your movement.
Other Benefits
In addition to getting better sleep and heart health, you will have more strength, stability, and lean muscle mass…not to mention it will help you lose weight.
Conclusion
Get to the gym. Lift some weights. Get more zzz’s.