Some people misuse the word strong; to them, saying that a part of your body is strong is just another way of saying physically fit. A runner, for example, may be said to have a strong body because she can run for long periods, but in the pure sense of the word, she actually may not be very strong.

The real definition of strength is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to produce great force. The stronger you are, the better you can lift, push, or pull heavy things.

Strength is important when it comes to protecting and supporting your joints. All of the major muscles in the body surround different joints. Muscles absorb most of the load around the joints. If the muscles are strong, the joints have less stress. Remember: A strong muscles makes for a happy joint.