Feeling scatterbrained? It might be time to hit the gym.
A research team from the University of Iowa recently evaluated more than 100 studies and found that resistance training and aerobic exercise both give your brain a boost—but in different ways.
Strength training takes a great deal of focus. You have to maintain proper form, concentrate on your breathing, and tune out the grunting bodybuilder next to you. Researchers believe that the more you perform focused resistance workouts, the more you will be able to avoid distractions in other areas of your life.
Meanwhile, cardio involves long and constant effort, which scientists believe can improve your cognitive ability to carry out multiple tasks for long periods of time and stick to plans.
After just six months of exercise, brain scans show that gray and white matter in the prefrontal and temporal lobes of the brain actually grow. Even better, since these are spots that usually diminish with time, exercise (whether it's strength or cardio), can help keep your mind sharp as you age.
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