Benefits of Weight Lifting
The benefits of weight lifting are numerous and you should know them all if you want to achieve your fitness goals. There is a common misconception that people who lift weights are looking to bulk up, but this is not true. If you are looking to bulk up, then you should lift heavy weights, but if your goal is to be lean, you need to lift light weights. Strength and muscle building is about a combination of lifting the right weights and eating right, so you should not focus on one or the other. When you are looking to lose fat, focus on the diet and you should see the benefits of weight lifting in your results.
The biggest benefit of weight lifting is increased muscle size. This is an obvious one. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn, and the stronger muscles you have, the more efficient your movements will be. In addition to having more muscle mass, you will also have increased bone density. This means that you will be more protected from injury and you will heal faster when an injury occurs. More muscle also means that you will be more likely to maintain a healthy weight and you will be less likely to gain back all of the weight you just lost during your workout.
Another great benefit of weight lifting is improved sports performance. Increased muscle mass and bone density mean you will have a greater ability to move through space and perform better in your sport. If you play a sport where speed is critical such as football, rugby, and track and field, then increasing your speed and jumping ability will be very important to winning your games. In addition to faster movements, weight training will also improve endurance and strength.
Flexibility is probably the most overlooked benefit of weight training. This one may seem like it is just a side effect, but it is actually very important and can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Imagine being able to get up from a chair with one leg while your other is paralyzed. Most people who are in physical therapy and rehabbing a physical disability do not realize how much pain their bodies are in and how much more painful rehabbing a physical disability can be than going without any exercise at all. It is amazing how much a stronger and flexible body can help someone who is in physical therapy or rehabbing.
One of the most important benefits of weight lifting is increased body metabolism. Body metabolism is basically the rate at which we use up our energy (calories) and convert it to fat. Lifting weights will increase your metabolism allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day. Metabolism is directly related to weight loss.
Other benefits of weight lifting include improved overall health and well being and better bone density in women. Many people who lift regularly report improved sleep patterns and reduced risk of depression. The increased body strength also helps support healthy joints and bone density. Finally, the benefits of weight lifting can increase self-confidence and reduce the risk of injury. All of these benefits of weight lifting can play a role in your life.
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