Despite numerous studies showing the safety and benefits of strength training, it was not widely accepted until recently. In the past, weight training was mainly used for bodybuilding or football preparation.
Resistance training's ability to provide a temporary but tangible view of results, known as the "pump," is one reason it appeals to both men and women. It allows people to see the potential power that comes with increased muscle and attracts them to gyms and body-building culture.
Dr. Andy Galpin explains the cultural transformation of strength training and how it has only recently become a scientific field. He discusses the science of endurance and exercise physiology and how it has yet to catch up to strength training in terms of research.