12/04/2020
With all of the different forms of fitness out there, it can be tough to "pick" the right one for you.
Eventually, one form of exercise wins out above all the rest:
Lifting Weights.
And I am here to tell you............there is no other form of exercise that even comes close to matching the physical and psychological benefits of training using progressive overload.
"Progressive Overload" can be a scary phrase for some.
Especially those who are untrained, or who have never done it before.
But the benefits are exactly why you should start now, if you haven't done so in the past.
Here are *just a few* benefits of training with weights:
1. Muscle Preservation
For most of us, our primary goal is fat loss.
We want to lean down, get rid of our lovehandles and saddlebags.
Have confidence wearing a bathing suit.
And in order to accomplish those goals, our muscle is our absolute best friend.
When you're dieting for fat loss, your body can take mass from one of two different places: our fat stores or our muscle stores.
And if you neglect resistance training, odds are good that you will lose your muscle along with your fat.
Which will just make you look like a "smaller version of yourself".
That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if your goal is a lean, toned physique, lifting weights is your ally in keeping your muscle exactly where it is - and even building more on top of it.
2. Improving Your Life Quality
What is the point of "fitness", really?
It *should* be to improve the quality of your life.
Yes, it's nice to look good naked, but what we should REALLY be aiming for is to be able to accomplish our day to day activities without struggling.
This can include bringing in your groceries, moving furniture, playing with our children/grandchildren, etc.
There's no better feeling than to lift furniture that you know should be *too heavy* for you, but your strength training background allowed you to tackle the project with ease.
3. Lifting Weights Mimics Life
In our "look at me" world, we want it all now.
We want to accomplish your goals Yesterday............and it's tough to admit when we can't do something.
When you're lifting with weights, you are absolutely forced to take it bit by bit.
Step by step.
And day by day.
If you remain consistent, you are going to see improvement. Physical improvement as well as strength improvement.
This week, perhaps you could only bench press 70 pounds 3 times.
But next week? When you try again? You will likely see yourself doing 4 or even 5 repetitions.
That's a clear cut, plain as day way to see you have improved since last week.
That feeling is addicting, and will help to develop the "positive feedback loop" to keep you motivated and into the game.
Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished in just a few days.
Slow, incremental improvements are how you do great things in life.
And lifting weights shows you exactly how that is possible - in a real world context.
4. Lifting Weights Gives You An Identity
It seems like so many of us just "glide" through life.
We allow things to "happen" to us, and we respond accordingly.
Our sense of self sometimes begins to erode. We have existential crises, and we wonder if "this is it"..........Is this who "we are"............
And we long to be something more.
There is something comforting about finishing a tough weightlifting session, and seeing the cold, hard numbers in front of you.
"Today, I did 150 pounds on the pulldown machine 7 times."
"Today, I squatted 135 pounds for the first time."
"Today, I completed 15 consecutive push-ups without stopping."
Looking at your training log............."who you are" is right in front of you.
This is a calming and reassuring presence.
Because going back to #3, the next time you head into the gym, and you beat that personal best, you begin to understand something..........
Who you "are" can change.
And it will change, if you allow yourself to keep at it and keep pushing.
There's nothing quite like knowing - and understanding - that you can *be* anything you want.
You can change your future.
You can change your reality.
You can change your identity.
But before you can do that...........you have to know exactly who you are.
And lifting weights can help you realize exactly who you "are"...........today.
5. Lifting Weights Knows No Age Boundaries
Most fitness regimens have some "age requirements".
They may not be set in stone, but they're there.
Crossfit? In order to do high-rep, Olympic weight lifting, you're going to need a solid fitness level to even get started, or you may get injured.
Running marathons? Some of us simply can't handle that much daily grind on our joints.
But lifting weights?
Lifting weights is for everyone. Flat. Out. Everyone.
You may think "lifting weights" is for big, lumbering bodybuilders or powerlifters.
But the reality is that nothing could be further from the truth.
I can tell you countless stories of people in their 50's, 60's, and even 70's, who have started lifting, and make amazing progress, many of them lifting weights for the first time in their lives.
There is always a machine, an alteration, or an adjustment to fit your current fitness level.
There is always a workaround if you have a nagging injury.
Weight lifting is the most inclusive fitness regimen on earth - and you're missing out if you're not in the game.
And Finally..........
6. Lifting Weights Teaches You About MOMENTUM...........
Momentum.
The most important aspect of fitness there is.
Momentum is EVERYTHING when it comes to fitness.
You need to "string together" days of consistency, and you start to feel a seismic shift inside of you.
You're gradually getting better, you're sleeping better, you're looking better, and your clothes are starting to fill out (and get loose) in all the right places.
And if you stop?
Within weeks, you'll lose it.
And then, the next time you pick up those weights again, you won't be nearly as strong as you were when you last stopped.
You'll gain it back again, sure, but the fact remains:
If you lose your momentum, you will lose your progress.
And life works in the exact same way.
It's the daily habits, the small choices, and the seemingly insignificant decisions that we make that allow us to do great things over time.
You've gotta get that momentum, baby.
And when you do, don't EVER look back.
