A 2-Week Peer-Leader Program to Increase Participation and Benefits Associated with Resistance Training

Many individuals do not engage in resistance exercise, in part, because they lack the knowledge and confidence to do so. A total of 42 individuals (26 females, 16 males) were recruited to complete four sessions with a peer-leader coach. They were then encouraged to continue attending the campus recreation weight room over the following 10 weeks. Individuals reported an increase in both knowledge ( p < .001) and confidence ( p < .001) using the weight room, and this corresponded to attending the recreation center an average of 1.4 times per week. General well-being did not change ( p = .921), but there were increases in muscle mass of both the upper ( p = .03) and lower body ( p = .031). There were small increases in isokinetic strength of the upper ( p = .006), but not lower body ( p = .173).