{"id":372881,"date":"2025-12-28T10:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T10:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/372881\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T10:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T10:51:09","slug":"why-strength-training-is-essential-for-cognitive-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/372881\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Strength Training Is Essential for Cognitive Function"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all know that weightlifting is great<\/a> for building muscle\u2014and it has fantastic potential to improve (and maintain) bone strength. But what you might not know is that recent research suggests that weightlifting has the potential to boost your memory, tighten your focus and improve overall brain function. BRB\u2014I\u2019m headed to the gym!\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The Best Strength Training Essentials <\/p>\n

Vuori Restore Half Zip Hoodie, $94 (was $118) at vuori.com<\/a>
\nLululemon\u2019s Unisex Daily Essential Quarter Socks, $14 at lululemon.com<\/a>
\nReebok Nano X5 Training Shoes, $140 at reebok.com<\/a>
\nLululemon Scuba Oversized Long Funnel-Neck Half Zip, $128 at lululemon.com<\/a>
\nVuori All The Feels 4-Inch Short, $64 at vuori.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The findings, which were published earlier this year<\/a>, were quite interesting. Researchers conducted a study of studies (called a meta-analysis), pulling together research articles that looked at cognitive function in healthy adults aged 55 years and older when they exercised. The study included various forms of exercise: resistance training, aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), physical and mental training (such as Tai Chi), or multi-modal exercise (a workout that includes multiple exercise styles like cardio, weights and balance). Compared to control groups, the researchers found that all types of exercise improved cognitive function. But strength training\u2014and specifically twice a week for 45 minutes for 12 weeks\u2014had the most significant impact on overall brain function.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Weight training also was the best exercise for improving focus. (The scientific term they used was \u201cinhibitory control.\u201d) The researchers found other brain benefits to resistance training, like an improved ability to switch between tasks and potential memory enhancement, but other exercises were more effective (mind-body exercise and aerobic exercise, respectively).\n<\/p>\n

With all that brain-boosting potential, there\u2019s no better time to start lifting. Here are a few strength-training essentials to help you get started\u2014or take your routine up a notch.\n<\/p>\n

Feetures High Performance Max Cushion Tab, 3-Pack <\/p>\n

Feetures<\/p>\n

When in doubt, my family knows that a pair or pack of these socks is a welcome gift for me at any time of the year. I\u2019ve been a Feetures sock fan for years now and my obsession hasn\u2019t waned. They hug your feet beautifully, and I prefer to pair the \u201cmax cushion\u201d version with strength training shoes (see those recs below) for a weightlifting session.\n<\/p>\n

Lululemon\u2019s Unisex Daily Essential Quarter Socks <\/p>\n

lululemon<\/p>\n

If a quarter sock is more your style, these are a fantastic choice. Made of soft cotton, these socks have additional padding around the toes. Choose between seven different colors or lean into this style<\/a> that comes with some sparkle.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Lululemon Women’s Chargefeel 2 Mid Workout Shoe <\/p>\n

lululemon<\/p>\n

This workout shoe is one of my favorite trainer\u2019s favorites. I personally love the slight ankle coverage of this shoe for strength training\u2014it feels like I\u2019m getting just a little extra support. But if you\u2019d like something a little more traditional, the Strongfeel training shoe<\/a> is worth considering.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Reebok Nano X5 Training Shoes <\/p>\n

Reebok<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been training in an earlier version of these Reebok Nanos (the X4s) for over a year now and they consistently deliver on performance. These shoes have a rubber sole that provides both cushioning and stability\u2014a must for a heavy leg day. That said, the sole is flexible enough for workouts<\/a> that include box jumps or a short treadmill sprint. The best part is the wide toe box, which gives your toes the room they need to spread and grip the floor when you\u2019re lifting weights.\n<\/p>\n

Lululemon Scuba Oversized Long Funnel-Neck Half Zip <\/p>\n

lululemon<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve talked about<\/a> how I love a funnel-neck sweatshirt this time of year\u2014it offers a little extra warmth during these cooler months. The overall style, and this sweatshirt in particular, is ideal after a workout, whether I\u2019m rolling to weekend errands or stopping by the grocery store for a few last-minute dinner ingredients.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Vuori Restore Half Zip Hoodie <\/p>\n

Vuori<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another half-zip style sweatshirt to consider. The Vuori brand is known for its super-soft texture and four-way stretch so you can get multiple wears out of it before sending it to the laundry basket. Pro tip: Buy this sweatshirt and the All The Feels short (below) in the same color for an easy, polished workout outfit.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Lululemon Energy Longline Bra Medium Support, B-D Cups <\/p>\n

lululemon<\/p>\n

The wider elastic underband and extra straps give this bra a little more style than your typical sports bras\u2014which I\u2019m learning is a must if you work out in a gym where tanks and leggings are the go-to style. What\u2019s also great about this bra is that it comes in a wide range of sizes and colors.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Vuori All The Feels 4-Inch Short <\/p>\n

Vuori<\/p>\n

These are hands-down my absolute favorite bottoms for weightlifting. They don\u2019t ride up my thighs, and the waistband doesn’t slip or roll down\u2014they stay perfectly in place throughout the entire workout. If a 4-inch short is too short, Vuori also makes a 6-inch version<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Ethos Leather Hand Grips <\/p>\n

Dick’s Sporting Goods<\/p>\n

The more you get into weight training, the more likely your hands are to develop calluses. And while I don\u2019t personally mind a callus here or there, my kids complain every time they touch my hands. This style of grip is one of my favorites, but some of my gym friends love a pair of gloves<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We all know that weightlifting is great for building muscle\u2014and it has fantastic potential to improve (and maintain)…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":372882,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[49,48,407,84],"class_list":{"0":"post-372881","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-fitness","11":"tag-health"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=372881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372881\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/372882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=372881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=372881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=372881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}