The best benefits of lifting weights for serious gains.
Lifting weights isn’t a fad which is going away anytime soon. Working out has longstanding benefits which make it a worthwhile sport for anyone to follow. People might come to the gym because of their resolutions but stay because of the positive changes they see. Especially as you start to notice that shredded physique take shape, it only enhances your desire to lift more and more.
It might take some time to reap the rewards of working out but once you do, there is nothing more satisfying than that. If you’re a critic of lifting weights, this article might help in changing your opinions.
While there are plenty of people who love doing cardio, it’s important to not neglect what lifting can do for your strength gains, but also other important factors like stability, posture, and functional movements. With the right approach to lifting, you will be well on your way to seeing great gains.
We’ll talk about 10 benefits to lifting weights and why this matters in the long run. Focusing on a great lifting program will only give you the best benefits as you look to grow and continue to see only the best overall growth take place.
Why Lift?
Lifting has its perks. For those who love to show off their gains, lifting big weight and showing what you can do in the gym is not something to take for granted. As mentioned above, lifting also works well when it comes to building up your posture to aid in other big lifts and everyday use, as well as keeping you stronger and more stable overall. If you want to build a more shredded physique, lifting is essential and cannot be overlooked.
10 Benefits Of Lifting Weights
Let’s jump into 10 benefits of lifting weights so you know exactly how this can do to help you produce serious gains. Your time in the gym is valuable and if you know why you’re in there, it will serve you better as you hit those lifts hard.
1. Gain Muscles Mass
It’s no secret lifting weights can help you in building muscles. Most people get a gym membership to gain muscle mass. If you want to buff up, hitting the gym is arguably your best option and you will see a serious increase to your muscle mass (1).
2. Get Stronger
Lifting weights with consistency will invariably lead to strength gains. Setting new PRs every few weeks is a sign you’re not plateauing and are getting stronger. The strength from the gym will carry over to your daily life and the things which once felt heavy will no longer feel that way.
3. Look Good Naked
Bodybuilding can change your body structure. A slouching back or slanting shoulders aren’t the sexiest of body features. Working out can help you develop your arms, shoulders, back, chest, abs, and legs for when it matters the most – the bedroom.
4. Increases Stamina
Lifting weights and doing cardio workouts can help in improving your cardiovascular strength. Apart from your stamina, working out can also improve your core strength, flexibility, agility, and conditioning. This will be most effective for sport specific movements that require only the best for stamina and athletic performance (2).
5. Stress Buster
Working out can be a great stress buster. A good training session can be the best reliever after a hectic day and that is something most of us definitely need (3). Some people like to use the gym as an outlet for the frustration and anger built throughout the day and by putting that into a lifting session you benefit yourself physically and mentally. Plus, who doesn’t want to unload and take that stress off their back.
6. Makes You Disciplined
If you want to see changes in your physique, you need to be disciplined. A fit lifestyle demands discipline with your workouts, diet, and recovery. Over time, you’ll find yourself starting to get accountable in other areas in your life. More accountability keeps you on track to better succeed in everything you do.
7. Enhances Mood
While you train, your body releases endorphins which are the hormones responsible for making you feel happy. You’ll hardly ever come out of a training session feeling depressed, especially if the workout was good. Take advantage of a good lifting opportunity and work to boost your mood so you become happier overall. A proven test booster will be a valuable supplement to your stack and will improve overall mood, libido and muscle gains.
8. Get Better at Visualizing
Bodybuilding isn’t just about lifting a couple of heavy dumbbells. Arnold emphasized the importance of visualization in bodybuilding. He considered himself to be the crafter of his physique and with every rep, he was shaping his body into a masterpiece. By visualizing your goals, you will better achieve them, and as an athlete, you can take this tool with you come performance time.
9. Makes You More Tough Psychologically
You’ll be challenged psychologically while lifting weights. Resistance training will regularly put you in spots where you’ll have to break your mental barrier if you want to progress. Breaking through these barriers will give you confidence that you can break through anything challenging that may come your way.
10. Teaches You the Importance of Diet
Diet plays one of the most integral parts in bodybuilding. People who lift weights and are in good shape will rarely be suffering from otherwise common problems like obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and many other things. Once you start lifting weights, you’ll realize the kind of impact the food we eat can have on your bodies and you will feel better the more healthy you eat.
Wrap Up
Lifting weights should not be taken for granted and knowing the benefits around lifting will make you want to do it more. By knowing the right approach and working on tackling those important movements, you can better prepare yourself for the best gains around while looking to maximize all things gains. Don’t neglect a good lifting program and only work to better enhance your all-around goals for the better.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Tipton, K.; et al. (2008). “Improving muscle mass: response of muscle metabolism to exercise, nutrition and anabolic agents”. (source)
- Westcott, W. (2012). “Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health”. (source)
- Jackson, E. (2013). “Stress Relief: The Role of Exercise in Stress Management”. (source)
