Strength training keeps you fit and healthy

Many people limit their efforts to stay in shape to endurance training. But this can result in an unbalanced exercise regime that’s not entirely good for your body. If you’re seeking all-round fitness, you should also be including exercises for strength. Here we explain the main reasons why it’s sometimes good to leave the treadmill and pump some iron instead.

“Afterburn” effect

Intense strength training not only burns calories during exercise. It also increases your calorie burn over the next few days.

All-round body strength

Weight training is equally good when it comes to strengthening your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. If done intensively it also helps prevent fractures by building new bone and preserving bone density. This makes your whole body stronger and more resilient. If you lift weights on a regular basis you’ll also find everyday activities such as carrying heavy shopping bags or removal boxes easier.

Fountain of youth

As you age, your muscles reduce in size and get weaker. Systematic strength training helps retain muscle mass and can slow the ageing process. It’s also a great way of preventing cardiovascular disease, strokes and diabetes.

Weights make you smarter and happier

Strength training increases alertness and improves long and short-term memory. And because it stimulates the body to produce “happiness” hormones, it also helps combat stress and anxiety, making you calmer, more satisfied, and more resistant to stress.

The more you do for your health, the more you get back.

The BENEVITA bonus programme rewards you for an active and healthy lifestyle with attractive discounts* on premiums for COMPLETA TOP and HOSPITA supplementary insurance plans. We’ll be glad to give you comprehensive, expert advice on the BENEVITA bonus programme and the additional benefits for you and your family as customers of SWICA.

*Click here for details of the contribution.


29.07.2015
In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.