In the past, people used to associate weight lifting with muscly men in the gym. However, nowadays a wide variety of people lift weights as they have become aware of the benefits of the exercise. There is a different range of exercises, machines and weight sizes that can be used in the gym or even at home. The exercises can be tailored to suit the individual and by no means will you become ‘massive’ if you don’t want to, which is a misconception a lot of people have about lifting weights.
In fact, there are a lot of health benefits that come with lifting weights and these are the main reasons why people do it.
The Lose Fat
Not only does muscle take up less space than fat because it is denser, but it is also more metabolically active. This means that when you increase your muscle mass, you will essentially be burning more calories during the day to lose more fat over time. It is just as important to build your strength as it is to include cardio into your workout regime. You will often notice that people who lift weights frequently are often leaner and fitter than those who just stick to cardio. It will also cause you to have great definition too.
To Become Strong
Ever complained about not being able to open a certain jar at home? It is obvious that lifting weights will make you become strong in the literal sense, but it can be applied to all aspects of life. Suddenly, things that used to seem difficult don’t seem as taxing as they used to be. You will find that housework won’t make you sweat as much, you’ll be able to carry the groceries with ease and walk up the stairs without getting out of breath. No longer will you need someone to help you or to break down tasks into smaller segments.
You Don’t Need the Gym
Not everyone enjoys going to the gym, especially if they are self-conscious with their body. The great thing about lifting weights is that it can be done in the comfort of your own home. There are plenty of people that buy weights or machinery to keep in their house and use tutorials on YouTube to help them find the exercises they enjoy. In some case, you don’t even need weights. Just doing the movements with your own body weight can help you tone your body.
Reduces the Risk of Injury
It isn’t just your muscles that become stronger when you lift weights. The connective tissue such asligaments and tendons, which are important to help you move, also become stronger. This means that it is less likely that you will suffer from injuries when your body is in peak condition. As well as this, you will find that your bones can become stronger, which is great for people who suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis.
It Increases Your Balance
When people lift weights, theyhave to focus on keeping their form perfect so as not to injure themselves. This will, in turn, improve their stability and balance, as well as their flexibility. Preserving your muscle mass will give you a full range of motion and help to keep you steady on your feet. While you may be working your arms with the weights, your feet are having to keep you upright and your core will keep you steady as you move. All this works together to improve your balance and strength.
Acts as A Stress Reliever
One of the number one reasons why people decide to lift weights is that they say it helps with their mental health. A lot of people see it as a stress reliever where you can relax after getting your heart pumping for half an hour or whenever you can squeeze it in. Lifting weights will also help people to feel better about themselves. They will feel a sense of achievement when they hit a personal best and start to notice small changes in their physique that make them look good. So, not only are you helping with stress and anxiety, but you are also working to build confidence every time you lift weights.
Lifting weights can seem like a challenge at the beginning, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, once you start and see the benefits, you won’t want to stop.
