We talk to a lot of folks who’ve spent years biking, running, or grinding through HIIT classes in the name of staying healthy.
And here’s the thing: cardio is great. Movement is always a win. But if you’re relying on cardio alone—and skipping strength work—you’re leaving a big piece of the puzzle out.
Because strength training does things that cardio just can’t.
When you lift weights consistently, here’s what actually happens:
- You build muscle—which naturally raises your metabolism and protects against age-related muscle loss.
- You protect your joints and bones—something that high-rep jump squats or daily miles won’t do.
- You get stronger for real life—like picking things up, climbing stairs, or staying independent well into your 60s, 70s, and beyond.
We’re not here to knock other workouts. HIIT can be fun. Running can clear your head. But if you’re feeling stuck, tired, or like your joints are taking a beating, strength training might be the thing you’re missing.
And no, it doesn’t have to be extreme.
You don’t need to spend hours in the gym or deadlift twice your bodyweight. You just need a simple, consistent plan—built around the movements that support the way you live.
At Woodshed, we help folks build that plan every day.
And whether they come in burned out from high-intensity workouts or new to lifting altogether, the most common thing we hear after a few weeks is:
“I didn’t realize how much better I’d feel just getting stronger.”
In the next post, we’ll talk about why it’s never too late to start—and how strength training can meet you exactly where you are.
