What type of exercise is primarily aimed at increasing muscle strength?

Resistance training is primarily aimed at increasing muscle strength. This type of exercise involves the use of external resistance to improve muscle strength, endurance, size, and power. By working against a force, such as weights, resistance bands, or even body weight, resistance training promotes muscle fiber activation and adaptation, leading to increased muscle mass and strength over time.

In contrast, aerobic exercises focus on improving cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness through extended physical activity that increases heart rate and breathing, like running or cycling. Balance exercises are designed to enhance stability and coordination, often through activities that require maintaining one's center of gravity over a base of support. Functional training aims to improve everyday movements and performance by simulating common activities, but it does so without the primary goal of maximizing muscle strength. Each of these alternatives serves important fitness purposes, but their main objectives differ from the specific goal of increasing muscle strength offered by resistance training.