What Is Muscular Strength, and What Are Some Exercises You Can Do?
Muscular strength relates to your ability to move and lift objects. It’s measured by how much force you can exert and how much weight you can lift for a short period of time.
Examples of exercises that develop muscular strength and power include resistance training, such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and resistance band exercises. Running, cycling, and climbing hills are also options.
Read on to learn more about the difference between muscular strength and muscular endurance, as well as muscular strength benefits, cautions, and exercises.
Strength vs. muscular endurance
While muscular strength and muscular endurance are similar in some ways, they have some key differences. Muscular strength is determined by how much force you can exert or how much weight you can lift. Building muscular strength uses heavier weights for fewer repetitions.
Muscular endurance refers to the ability of a muscle to sustain repeated contractions against resistance for an extended period of time.
Activities that build muscular endurance include long-distance running, cycling, or swimming, along with circuit training and bodyweight exercises. You can improve muscular strength and endurance by doing repetitive movements until the point of exhaustion.
Benefits
Muscular strength enhances overall health and boosts athletic activity.
- A strong body allows you to perform movements and activities that require power without getting tired.
- Muscular strength helps you maintain a healthy body weight by burning calories and enhancing your body composition, which is the ratio between fat and muscle.
- Building strength may also boost mood and energy levels while promoting healthy sleep patterns. This may boost confidence, provide a sense of accomplishment, and allow you to add more difficult or strenuous activities to your fitness routine.
- Developing muscular strengths helps to build strong, healthier muscles and bones. This helps to develop good posture and relieve back pain.
- You’ll have more stability, balance, and flexibility, making injuries and falls less likely.
