Many people associate strength and conditioning only with athletes. At one time, perhaps, strength and conditioning was reserved only for athletes. Certainly the world of muscle building (apart from body building) was relatively unknown. But all that has changed in the last few generations as the health benefits of muscle strength and endurance have become known for men and women of all ages. As a result of technological advances, societal changes, and personal choices, all of us place fewer demands on our muscular systems. Why should you consider a regular program of strength and conditioning? What do you have to gain by it? Is there any compelling reason to commit yourself to strength training for 20-60 minutes, 2-3 days per week? Certainly, there are many good reasons to include strength training in your lifestyle: Enhanced strength and functional capacity: Increased or maintained bone density: (Osteoporosis is extremely prevalent, especially in postmenopausal women in whom the bone protective effects of estrogen are no longer present. Bones can lose mineral density and become brittle, thus breaking easily. Once thought to be a disease for older women, osteoporosis is now known to affect men too. Bone building starts much earlier in life.) Anti-Aging effects: (Not that long ago, aerobic exercise was considered the most important, that is no longer the case. Many of the characteristic changes associated with advancing age, such as slower resting metabolism, reduced strength, increased body fatness, can be attributed to reductions in lean muscle mass. ) Increased rate of metabolism: (The weight loss benefits of building more muscle. Muscle tissue directly affects Resting Metabolic Rate, and it does so because muscle cells are high maintenance —that is, they are metabolically demanding, even at rest. In contrast, fat tissue is quite inactive, as fat cells are basically passive fat storage sites. Increased muscle tissue results in increased energy requirements to service that tissue. If you eat the same number of calories, the additional energy demand of the new muscle tissue burns up some stored fuel, like fat.) Improved appearance: (Though personal preference varies, to many people a muscularly toned body is appealing. Indeed, many people like what they see in the mirror after several months of strength training as the changes in their own bodies become more visible. For many people, improved physical appearance leads to more self-approval, and subsequently, greater confidence. This psychological component, too, has many real-world applications.)