Lifting weights isn’t just about building sexy bulging muscles, or being the strongest person in the gym. And although those things can be great byproducts of lifting weights, there are actually a lot of other, more legit, benefits that many people may be unaware of.
Resistance training, by the way, is just a fancy way of saying lifting weights. We’re exposing our body (muscles,bones,etc) to resistance that it’s trying to overcome, aka lift.
So what are the great benefits of resistance training, and why do I think everyone should do it? Let’s dive right the hell in!
BEING STRONGER
Now again, this doesn’t mean being the strongest person in the gym. This is referring mostly to having a general foundation of strength in your life.
This just makes life easier.
Being able to pick up and move things while not throwing out your back, or popping/pulling something, for example.
Picking up pets, kids, moving furniture, beasting the groceries, etc, all of these types of activities can be done comfortably, with less risk of injury.
Plus, one of the reasons people get addicted to this shiz, getting stronger is literally feeling your body become more powerful. And that is very powerful. Heh.
STRONGER BONES!
This is probably one of the most important benefits. Especially as we age. And one of the main reasons why I think everyone should lift weights to some degree.
Resistance training doesn’t only promote our muscles to get stronger, but our bones as well. And this is crucial as we get older, because if we’re not challenging our bones, they will get weaker, overtime.
This is the main cause for bone breaks and fractures in older people. Resistance training, even to a small degree, has been shown to help increase bone-mineral density, making them stronger, and more resistant to breaks and fractures.
Lifting weights throughout life will greatly decrease the risk of bone breaks as we get older.
YOU GET TO EAT MORE FOOD!
Yup! If you want a great reason to eat more food, add some resistance training to your life!
Lifting weights means we’re tearing muscle fibers, which requires protein and nutrients to build back stronger.
This would be an addition to the usual amount of food we would otherwise eat. Meaning now we have to eat more in order to promote proper muscle recovery.
Count me in!
YOU’LL BURN MORE CALORIES
As opposed to cardio, where you typically burn calories only during the workout, resistance training promotes calorie burning during and beyond the workout.
This is because of the fact that lifting weights tears muscle fibers, which causes the body to boost metabolism, and burn more energy to help facilitate recovery.
In turn, this can lead to weight loss, better weight management, and weight loss while building muscle.. Yup.
BETTER BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL
Blood sugar issues are one of the most common health problems, and concerns, today.
Resistance training actually helps to better manage blood sugar!
For one, blood sugar – aka, glucose – is our body and muscles’ preferred energy source. And the body stores glucose in muscle cells – as well as in the liver – to be used as energy.
This means, the more muscle mass you have, the more glucose will be stored appropriately, rather than staying in the blood, and potentially causing other issues.
Another reason resistance training helps to manage blood sugar is because, by lifting weights, we’re taxing our muscles and exerting energy. Being that glucose is our muscles’ and body’s preferred energy source, our body will prioritize and burn glucose more during times of strenuous activity and recovery.
BETTER POSTURE
Struggle with poor posture? Adding some proper resistance training – well suited for your particular needs! – can help to improve poor posture!
Simply put, our muscles can help to pull on our bones/joints. For example, a common postural issue is when people have sort of rolled forward shoulders, with a rounded upper back.
In a scenario like this, strengthening and developing the upper back/shoulder muscles can be a great way to help sort of “straighten out” the spine, and pull the shoulders back.
And if you’re someone who regularly lifts, and has a decently designed workout protocol, you will most likely struggle less with postural issues than those that don’t lift.
BETTER BALANCE
Building and strengthening muscles around various joints – particularly the legs & hips – can also help to keep your body more sturdy, and in balance. Which is important for avoiding falls and slips!
PROTECTS JOINTS
Building muscle and strength around joints can help protect them from injury. This one is kind of aligned with the benefits of improved posture, and balance.
By having a foundation of strength, and a more sturdy frame, you essentially help to eliminate the chance of your joints being used or taxed more during movement. Which is great if you don’t want some terrible joint-related injury.. Lol..
BETTER BODY COMPOSITION
Body composition simply refers to how much muscle vs. fat mass you have on your body.
Having more body fat than muscle mass has been shown to increase the risk of obesity, various chronic diseases, insulin resistance, and other BS you probably don’t want to deal with.
Resistance training helps to build muscle mass, and can also aid in losing body fat. Promoting a healthier, and more balanced body composition, overtime.
INCREASED CONFIDENCE & SELF ESTEEM
Lifting weights can be hard, tiring, cause you to feel sore, etc. Some might wonder, why even do it at all? And why do certain people seem to be so “obsessed” with the gym?
Well, in a world of quick pleasures, and instant gratification, it might be harder to see that the true way to produce feelings of happiness, confidence, pride, etc, comes from putting in the work. Doing the damn thing. Grinding. Whatever the hell you want to call it.
But putting effort, time, sweat, dedication, etc, into an endeavor, and seeing the results grow and blossom, is pretty fucking addicting.
Putting in the work and then seeing and feeling yourself become stronger, and getting in better shape, unleashes this sense of pride, and accomplishment. That makes you want to keep going back for more
Plus, that sense of pride and accomplishment sticks with you outside of the gym as well.
It might sound crazy, but anyone who’s pushed themselves hard enough during a workout knows that once you do that, everything else in the day seems.. easier. A little less stressful..
And it’s honest work too, that produces honest results. And the best part is, you’re in control. The work you put in and the results you get from that aren’t up to anyone else, nor are they from anyone else.
So in short, that’s how people become “obsessed” with the gym. Which, by the way, is a critique thrown at gym goers usually from people who are a little too “obsessed” with the TV and junk food. But I digress..
THE END! But there ya have it, 10 solid benefits of resistance training. Thanks for reading!