Lift weights, reduce diabetes risk

New research from the University of California Los Angeles shows that reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes may mean going to the gym a little more often - and not just going to the gym, but adding muscle mass. 

For every 10 percent increase in muscle mass, there seemed to be a corresponding 11 percent decrease in the body's resistance to insulin, as well as a 12 percent decrease in prediabetes, which often leads to the disease.

"Our findings suggest that beyond focusing on losing weight to improve metabolic health, there may be a role for maintaining fitness and building muscle mass," said assistant professor Preethi Srikanthan, of UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.

"While we knew there was a relationship between metabolic disorders and very low muscle mass, we were surprised to find that this relationship was preserved across the range of muscle mass," Srikanthan explained.

Finding a gym that can accommodate every fitness level can be tough - and getting the right training even tougher - but Del Webb retirement living communities provide state-of-the-art workout facilities that are the exception to this rule. From free weights to elliptical machines, classes and group activities, there is no shortage of fun ways for homeowners to stay active and healthy.