Why Everyone Should Lift Weights
Depending on where you’re at in your fitness journey, you may have already made friends with weightlifting. And no, we’re not talking about the people lifting hundreds of pounds of steel that you see on the internet. Unless that’s your jam, in which case, you rock!
Maybe you’re a cardio junkie who loves to run, swim, and bike. That’s fantastic, too! Whatever movement makes you happy is something we will always encourage you to pursue and keep in your routine.
Perhaps you’re curious about or wanting to add weightlifting to your training. We encourage you to feed that curiosity and do your best to incorporate lifting into your routine, in addition to other activities, at LEAST 2-3 times per week, and remember: it doesn’t need to be anything crazy or intense. Why? Weightlifting is inherently beneficial for everyone on this planet for many reasons. Let’s explore some more.
What does weightlifting help us achieve?
It makes us strong! No rocket science here. The importance of a strong body, especially as we age, cannot be understated. Having a strong body ensures we can perform daily tasks, and those of greater difficulty, with ease and confidence.
It’s good for our bones and skeletal structure. Not only does weightlifting strengthen our muscles, it works to strengthen our bones, too. By lifting heavy, we help prevent bone loss, reduce the risk of fractures, maintain bone mass and potentially build bone density, too. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a great return on investment.
It burns body fat, which is beneficial for immediate and long-term health. Storing less body fat is always beneficial, and having more muscle mass also increases metabolism, further supporting this process.
Reduces the risk of injury. Strengthening the muscles around your joints, ligaments and tendons is key to preventing injury during exercise and otherwise. If you’re just beginning, you might find that lifting helps you feel less aches and pains throughout the day, if that’s something you’ve been plagued by in the past.
It’s a natural mood-booster! Just like all forms of exercise, the endorphins are flowing when we’re lifting weights. These feel-good hormones help fight depression, make you feel happy, stimulate your brain, and produce the best kind of energy out there.
Your cardio will actually improve. If it’s your cardio you’re concerned about, then don’t be! The strength you gain from lifting carries over into better performance in your cardio by making the muscles in your core, arms and legs stronger. And if this disclaimer is still needed: it won’t make you bulky!
Weightlifting develops confidence. As you begin to lift heavier and progress, you will discover that the process is incredibly empowering. Knowing that you can perform a certain lift boosts confidence in other areas of our lives and identity.
Hopefully, we’ve made a good case for weightlifting. Clearly, there are other reasons beyond those listed above that point to the benefits of lifting weights. And if you’re brand new to it, we encourage you to start small and focus on the basics. If you’re in the midst of your journey, keep up the good work and know what a good investment you’re making in your health and wellbeing.
FIT TIP: Simply put, make time for recovery! You don’t need to be a professional athlete to heed this advice; if you’re living an active lifestyle, you need to consistently schedule in recovery time. Stretching, foam rolling, getting a massage, taking a magnesium bath, hydrating, fueling, taking a light walk or doing some yoga are all forms of recovery that are beneficial. Recovery comes down to listening to your body and making the wisest (and most timely) decision. Some weeks this may look different than others, depending on your training volume. The key is to honor your rest time. Your body will thank you.
This article was written by our very own Megan Carter.