Arnold Schwarzenegger “hobby” sharpens your BRAIN?

What comes to mind when you think of famed actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?

His fame and his (sometimes cheesy) one-liners from his action movies? His stint as the governor of California? Or, his massive physique?

I don’t know about you, but I think of weight lifting – and how he practically made it popular and a “real” exercise back in the 70s and 80s!

Now, it turns out that pumping some iron can do a lot more than harden your body… it can also sharpen your BRAIN!

So, before you think that weight lifting is only for bulked up meatheads (like Arnie back in the day), check out these findings.

Researchers from Georgia Tech have found that lifting weights – for as little as 20 minutes, 1-2 times per week – can IMPROVE your episodic memory by as much as 10%.

Episodic memory is the type of memory most associated with your long-term memory.

But that’s not the only benefit that lifting weights has when it comes to helping your brain…

A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry noted that frailty is one of the biggest risk factors for older adults developing DEMENTIA.

Frailty can lead to muscle loss, low grip strength, tiredness, and even slow gait speed – all of which are symptoms associated with dementia.

But staying active – and occasionally ‘pumping iron’ – can help prevent frailty.

If you already have an exercise routine like walking or jogging, consider incorporating some simple strength training into your already-established routine.

Walk with some light hand weights (2-5 lbs.) or, during your walk or run, do some pushups against a wall or a side of a building. Both are easy on your joints AND give your arms a great ‘pump.’

If strength training is new to you, don’t worry… it can easily be added to your routine. And you certainly don’t have to become a body builder to reap the benefits of easy weight lifting!

All you need is a simple set of dumbbells anywhere from 5-12 lbs. Simple movements like bicep curls, squats, and shoulder presses are all easy to master and work all the muscles in both your arms and legs. Keep it simple. You can give resistance bands a try.

Try doing 2-3 sets of each exercise two days per week. And if you feel like you’re strapped for time, try doing it while watching your favorite TV show, or even the news.

To the power of the pump,

Sarah Reagan

Sources:

ScienceDaily. “Lift weights, improve your memory, study shows.” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141001102028.htm

Medical Xpress. “Reduce frailty to lower dementia, study finds.” https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-12-frailty-dementia.html