Why do some men and women, in the effort to improve their
fitness, still resist weightlifting? Here are some motivating
ideas for building weight-room confidence and helping you
understand why this method of exercise is so very important
to your success…At first you may question what you're doing: are you going
to get too big, are you wasting your time, how do you know
this will work? But then you see other men and women who
have been weightlifting for years and they look terrific.
Here's the telltale sign that your program is working: you
start to see definition and feel firmness in muscles you
never thought you had.
5. You won't get bored: I suspect many
people don't lift weights because they think it will be
boring. Just remember to change your routine every 3-4 weeks
to keep things fresh and your body responding to your training.
Change the reps, the sets, the weight, the rest period,
the exercise order, etc. Training only gets boring if you
allow it to.
6. You have everyday, functional strength: Weight training does wonders to help you with activities of daily living: Housework, yard work, moving furniture, and carrying bags of groceries without gasping for air and pooping out within minutes. If you have a medical condition such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis, lifting weights can be a godsend. You can rely on weightlifting to keep you strong where once all your strength was gone.
7. You have a stronger back: Juggling a 30-pound toddler and a few bags of groceries while pulling out the stroller can put your back in a compromising position. When you lift weights, you strengthen your upper and lower body, which reduces strain on your back when you're forced to lift heavy loads. Plus, don't you think it would feel really good to walk around knowing that your back is as tight and toned as your legs?
8. You can train at home: Have you been putting off getting started with your weightlifting program because you felt you had to belong to a gym? You can implement a very effective weightlifting program no matter where you are. Invest in some dumbbells and an adjustable bench and you're set. Get some exercise videos or books that focus on strength training; now you can lift weights on your own anytime you like.
9. You can get rid of pain: Do you have limited range of motion in your joints? A bad knee? A wrenched neck? Bum shoulder? Weightlifting promotes strength in your joints so you have ease of movement. That old knee problem improves enough for you to can go hiking in the mountains for days without pain. No pain, more endurance. You can do more outdoorsy things - and have fun while doing them!
10. You build stronger bones: Bone responds to weightlifting the same way that muscles do, by becoming stronger and denser. Building strong bones can be the best defense against osteoporosis. You're more active, more mobile, and without lower back pain. And age doesn't matter; you can start when you're 65 and still experience tremendous benefits from a weightlifting program. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START A WEIGHTLIFTING PROGRAM!
