One major benefit of resistance training is its impact on Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)—the number of calories burned at rest. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns throughout the day.
A study from Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that participants who engaged in resistance training three times per week for six months increased their RMR by 7%, even without significant weight loss. This means their bodies were naturally burning more calories, even when not exercising.
Why This Matters:
- More muscle = higher calorie burn at rest.
- Strength training prevents metabolic slowdown that often happens during weight loss.
- Increased metabolism helps with long-term fat maintenance.