The Strength Shift: Why Lifting Weights Is the New Running (and How to Start)

Lisette Marie

25. Reduced All-Cause Mortality Risk (The Dose-Response)

Woman performing leg lunges under a modern geometric canopy outdoors. Photo Credit: Pexels @The Lazy Artist Gallery

Beyond protecting against specific diseases, strength training offers a powerful, measurable reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality. Research indicates a significant dose-response relationship: simply engaging in resistance exercise 2–3 times per week, independent of aerobic activity, provides a massive protective health buffer. This benefit is linked to improved muscle quality (not just size), systemic inflammation control, and superior metabolic health. Knowing that a commitment to consistent, moderate lifting dramatically extends your potential lifespan transforms the activity from an option into a lifelong preventative habit.

26. Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Stress Resilience

A mother and child practicing yoga together at home on a sunny day, fostering wellness and connection. Photo Credit: Pexels @Valeria Ushakova

Strength training acts as a powerful, non-pharmacological tool for improving emotional regulation. The physical demands of lifting force the body to manage stress under controlled circumstances. Over time, this trains the body’s HPA axis (the stress response system) to return to baseline more quickly after any stressful event, whether physical or psychological. This translates to lower overall daily anxiety, better mood stability, and greater mental resilience when facing life's daily challenges, making you literally feel stronger and calmer in your emotional landscape.

BACK

(13 of 16)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

25. Reduced All-Cause Mortality Risk (The Dose-Response)

26. Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Stress Resilience

MORE FROM HealthPrep