If you think weight lifting is only for the vain, you may be in for a big surprise. You see, weight lifting does many things that increase both the quality and health of your life.

I would actually go as far to say that weight lifting is far superior to cardiovascular exercise for improving health.

So, without further ado, here is why weight training should be a part of your life:

1. Less cigarette addictions: The research is clear here, people who exercise are less likely to smoke cigarettes. Perhaps the investment in exercise creates additional motivation to not damage the results by smoking.

2. Decreased risk for diabetes: Weight training is perhaps one of the most powerful things you can do to reverse the ill effects of diabetes. This happens because when you lift weights your active tissues become super absorbent towards sugar as a result of more glut-4 transporters.

3. Healthier dietary patterns: Just like smoking, people who exercise as part of their routines are less likely to eat unhealthy. Again, unhealthy eating wouldn’t allow for the maximum benefit from exercise and it could decrease adherence motivation.

4. Weight loss: Hands down, weight training is the best way to increase your metabolism-the amount of calories you burn around the clock. And if you are burning more calories, you are going to lose more weight.

5. Less depression: Exercise is a powerful antidote for poor mental states. One reason for this is the secretion of catecholamines which energize the body and mind.

6. Everything gets easier: As your body gets stronger, everything you do will seem easier. And if everything you do seems easier, life will be that much sweeter!

As you can clearly see, weight lifting is not just about aesthetics. There is much more to lifting weight than just looking good!

And remember to take action on this information now rather than later or you just might forget what you have learned!

About the author: Katherine Crawford M.S., a Harvard fitness expert and recent flabby arms casualty, teaches women how to get rid of upper arm fat very quickly. Unearth how to get sexy and toned arms by visiting her blog about the best tricep arm fat exercises for women now!