A New Study Makes a Really, Really Compelling Argument to Strength Train

Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine have found a pretty awesome connection between strength training and a longer lifespan.

The study looked at the exercise habits of people over the age of 65 and found a correlation between sustained weight lifting and longevity. While less than 10 percent of their subjects strength trained, those that did were significantly less likely to die during the 15-year span of the study.

It's also important to note that the subjects who lived longer varied in other areas of their health — in regards to diabetes, hypertension, drinking, and smoking — with strength training being the common health practice they shared. The findings are credited to the fact that strengthening your muscles can increase your bone density, leading to an overall improved sense of stamina and balance.

While it may seem obvious that exercise and weight lifting lead to a healthier life and longer lifespan, think of the study as additional proof of the benefits strength training has on both the young and elderly.