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Does Strength Training Work on the Brain? The Surprising Effects of Exercise
In my recent blog posts I wrote freely about my hobbies, such as plays and films. This time I’m taking up a health topic for the first time in a while.
Did you know that exercise also has a good effect on your brain? I reread a book I’d read before, *Exercise Brain* (Japanese title: 運動脳, by Anders Hansen, translated by Yumiko Funafune, Sunmark Publishing), and I’ll summarize the points I found most interesting.
The book explains that cardio such as running in particular activates the brain and is effective for relieving stress and improving cognitive function. But even at Orange Fitness, where strength training is the center, you can do exercise that has a good effect on your brain. From here I’ll talk about how strength training affects the brain.
How strength training affects your brain
Strength training is also an exercise that activates the brain. In lifting you consciously control fine movements, so your brain and body work closely together and your focus and attention are trained. Many people also feel clear-headed after lifting, with a refreshed mind and body, don’t they? This is one example of strength training’s good effect on the brain, and *Exercise Brain* describes similar effects.
Combining it with cardio
Orange Fitness also has treadmills. By adding light walking or jogging before and after lifting as a warm-up or cool-down, the interaction between brain and body increases further and the whole workout becomes more effective. For example, just adding a few minutes of walking after lifting should leave you feeling refreshed in mind and body.
Activating brain and body in different ways
At Orange Fitness, we aim for members to train their bodies through strength training and give their brains good stimulation at the same time. Taking the ideas of *Exercise Brain* on board, we work not only on building physical fitness but also on brain health: better focus and mood, and less stress. Learning that strength training is good for the brain, I was reminded of how wonderful exercise is.
Summary
Through *Exercise Brain* I was able to reconfirm the benefits exercise brings to mind and body. At Orange Fitness we support your health centered on strength training, and you can also use the treadmill to combine it with cardio. If you want to keep both your body and brain healthy, why not experience the wonder of exercise with us?
And if you haven’t read *Exercise Brain* yet, I recommend it.
Today is the youngest day of your life. I hope today is a wonderful day for everyone reading this!
Orange Fitness is a semi-personal gym in Kai City, Yamanashi. Learn how coaching works, see our plans and pricing, or book a trial or tour. You are welcome to just look around.