If you've steered away from weightlifting because you think you'll turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger, you couldn't be more wrong.

You may have stuck to cardio on your daily trips to the gym, always avoiding the free weights and machines.

However, picking cardio over lifting weights can thwart losing stubborn pounds, reducing health risks such as heart disease and diabetes and having an all-over toned body.

Strength training actually revs up your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories hours after your session. This occurs because your muscles are trying to repair themselves from your workout, and that energy is used to burn fat as well.

Lifting weights can also help you throughout the aging process. As you age, your muscles become weaker and your risk of developing health issues increase. But, by keeping up with strength training, you can combat that downward spiral.

What are some other healthy benefits you get from lifting weights?

Dr. Holly shares why you should be adding weight training into your workout routine and what benefits you can expect from doing so.