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Benefits Of Weight Lifting May Be Lifelong

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It may be one of the most misunderstood forms of exercise.

Weightlifting is often seen as a way to bulk up and teenagers can't get enough of it as they try to build muscle to compete in sports or just look good at the beach. But there is a role for weight lifting as you get older.

The major advantage of weight lifting is strengthening muscles and studies have shown that repetitive lifting with light weights can add strength and help reduce injury in people into their nineties. But what many people don't know is that when you build some muscle it, helps burn calories evens when you are not exercising.

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