Is resistance training bad for the heart?

Author: Ernesto Tillman  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

The abundance of research suggests that resistance training is at least as safe as aerobic exercise, such as walking and biking, for people with and without heart disease.

How does resistance training affect the heart?

Increased strength has been shown to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease-related death. Yes, that's right… strength exercises can help you live longer!

Is it bad for your heart to lift weights?

Numerous studies show that regular lifting sessions (at least 3 days a week) at moderate levels (70 percent to 75 percent of your 1-rep max) can boost your heart health and lower your blood pressure.

What are the risks of resistance training?

You run the risk of tearing muscles or overtraining. Without proper rest in between workouts, your body can't recover from stress, and you may experience unpleasant symptoms including pain, trouble sleeping, decreased performance, fatigued muscles, and weakened immunity.

Can training too hard damage your heart?

But in some cases, extreme exercise can damage the heart. Research is showing that a small percentage of middle-aged and older athletes who compete in endurance events over many years may be at higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – and other heart problems.

Weightlifting Or Running? Research Shows Clear Winner In Reducing Risk Of Heart Disease

Which exercise is not good for heart patients?

It's important to avoid exercise that involves heavy weight-lifting, or holding your breath. Don't do any exercises that use your whole body as a weight, such as press-ups or planks. And be careful if you're getting in the pool. “You can work a lot harder when you're swimming than you realise,” says Ms Eriksen.

What is the best exercise for the heart?

Ideal Exercise for the Heart

The best exercise has a positive effect on the heart and improves the musculoskeletal system. The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine both recommend combining aerobic exercise (jogging, swimming, biking) with resistance training (moderate weightlifting).

What is a disadvantage of resistance training?

Increased risk of injury

The risk of injury is the biggest disadvantage of strength training.

Is it OK to do resistance training everyday?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends incorporating strength training exercises of all the major muscle groups into a fitness routine at least two times a week. Rest. Avoid exercising the same muscles two days in a row.

What are the long term effects of resistance training?

Increased bone density and strength and reduced risk of osteoporosis. Improved sense of wellbeing – resistance training may boost your self-confidence, and improve your body image and your mood. Improved sleep and avoidance of insomnia. Increased self-esteem.

Is bench press bad for the heart?

Bench press exercise, which involves repetitive lifting of weights to full arm extension while lying supine on a narrow bench, has been associated with complications ranging in acuity from simple pectoral muscle strain, to aortic and coronary artery dissection.

What does an overworked heart feel like?

Cardiomyopathy symptoms can include: Shortness of breath or trouble breathing with activity or even at rest. Chest pain, especially after physical activity or heavy meals. Heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering.

Can heart failure be reversed with exercise?

Can heart failure be reversed with exercise? Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center has found that exercise can reverse damage to sedentary, aging hearts. This could help to prevent the risk of future heart failure. However, it needs to be started in time to be effective.

Can a weak heart become strong again?

How can someone strengthen their heart muscle? “A good diet, exercise and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol all help promote a strong heart and prevent heart disease. For people who already have a weak heart, low sodium intake, proper exercise and compliance with medications can all prevent more problems.

Does resistance training strengthen arteries?

Strength training, or resistance training, is also important for arterial health. Strength training affects blood pressure by increasing lean muscle mass. More muscle gives your cardiovascular system somewhere to send blood that's being pumped. This puts less pressure on your arteries.

What is the best exercise for heart failure?

What are the best exercises for heart failure?
  • Brisk walking, preferably with a walking stick.
  • Light jogging once you've reconditioned yourself with walking.
  • Cycling on easy, level terrain.
  • Swimming.
  • Water aerobics.
  • Traditional Chinese exercises that focus on mindful breathing, like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Liuzijue and Wuqinxi.

Is 30 minutes of resistance training a day enough?

You don't need to spend hours a day lifting weights to benefit from strength training. You can see significant improvement in your strength with just two or three 20- or 30-minute strength training sessions a week.

What happens if you lift weights but don't eat enough protein?

Lifting and doing strength training without adequate nutrition, especially without enough protein, can actually lead to loss of muscle tissue. Furthermore, if you aren't eating right you won't have the energy to do the workouts that lead to muscle gain.

Is lifting weights good for your heart?

In 2007, and probably even today, not everyone was aware that resistance training is good for heart health. The abundance of research suggests that resistance training is at least as safe as aerobic exercise, such as walking and biking, for people with and without heart disease.

At what age should you stop lifting heavy weights?

If you are currently in your 50s or 60s and have been lifting weights for many years, then it is likely that you will be able to continue doing so for many years to come. However, if you are in your 70s or older or have not been lifting weights for very long, you may need to start considering stopping.

Is 3 sets of 10 enough to build muscle?

This holds that regardless of whether you're trying to build muscle, strength, power, or endurance, performing three sets of 10 reps per exercise is a good place to start. The scheme mostly works, especially if you're just starting out with strength training—because everything works in the beginning.

What are the negatives of lifting weights?

Every innocuous activity or form of physical recreation has the potential for injury. You can even be injured while sitting in your office and typing. But weightlifting does carry unique risks. Lifting too much weight can lead to torn muscles, ripped ligaments or tendons, dislocated joints, or crush injuries.

What activity strengthens your heart?

“Aerobic exercise and resistance training are the most important for heart health,” says Johns Hopkins exercise physiologist Kerry J. Stewart, Ed.D. “Although flexibility doesn't contribute directly to heart health, it's nevertheless important because it provides a good foundation for performing aerobic and strength ...

What happens if your heart rate is too high during exercise?

If their heart rate gets too high, it can affect blood flow through the heart. This can lead to symptoms like chest pain and even cause injury to the heart muscle. All hearts benefit from exercise, but the intensity should be adjusted for each individual.

How do you know your heart is healthy?

“A normal resting heart rate as a measure of health for most adults is anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute,” Dr. Chaudry said.

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