Celebrities such as Halle Berry and Jennifer Aniston have both spoken about how they began strength training later in life and the benefits it’s brought them. This got me curious, because I’d always thought cardio was the key to staying fit and full of energy: think brisk walks and swimming, with a bit of yoga for good measure. But could trading those cardio sessions for weights really be better?

I decided to put it to the test and do one month of strength training with no cardio at all. With a structured plan from fitness expert Emma Simarro in hand, I ditched my usual routine and embraced the world of squats and dumbbells. What happened next surprised me—physically and mentally.

What is strength training, and where to start?

Before picking up any weights, Emma walked me through

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