14 ways weightlifting changes your life for the better
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Some of the potential benefits of weightlifting are obvious. For instance, you know you’re going to build muscle and bulk up. You know that you’re eventually going to be a lot stronger than you are now.
Essential reading: Boost your gym session with these gadgets
What you may not know is that making weightlifting a regular part of your life can change you for the better in other ways, as well. The following is just some of what you can look forward to.
You learn to set goals
If you’re serious about becoming the best possible version of yourself inside and out, goal setting is critical. Weightlifting helps you develop an ability to do this, and meet the goals time and time again. Stick with it for long, and you’ll notice you’re getting better at this in other areas of your life.
Your balance will get better
The more your muscle strength improves, the more you’ll notice other things about the way your body performs improving. For instance, you’ll find your balance is better and that you’re more coordinated as a result. After a while, you’ll also notice that your posture is really on point. Not only will you feel better but you’ll look better, too. Others will notice.
Your mind will get stronger and tougher
While it might be tempting to think that weightlifting is all about physical strength, you’d be wrong. The strength of your mind also has a lot to do with your success or failure. That said, lifting weights teaches you to test your limits and to push yourself further, not only physically, but mentally. A mentally tough person in the gym is also a mentally tough person outside of the gym.
Your bone health will improve
Your muscles aren’t the only body parts that will benefit immensely when you dedicate yourself to weightlifting. Your bones will become a lot stronger and healthier as well. Just ask your doctor! He or she will confirm that lifting weights is one of the best ways to prevent bone loss and stop existing bone loss from getting worse.
You’ll be less likely to develop diabetes
When your body can’t deliver glucose to your various cells as effectively as it should, diabetes can potentially develop. Any kind of physical activity, including weightlifting, helps stimulate and strengthen the pathways responsible for this function. Your chances of developing diabetes become a lot lower as a result
You’ll increase your overall sense of well-being
Lifting weights regularly doesn’t just make you stronger. It also increases the levels of known chemical mood boosters in your brain. Exercise of all kinds, weight training included, also helps ease the symptoms of depression, as well as combat the harmful effects of stress. That makes it a true tonic for the negative effects of busy modern living.
You’ll find it easier to remember things
Several controlled studies have shown that both strength training and resistance training can improve cognitive function in healthy older adults. This adds up to a variety of different benefits, including but not limited to improved memory. Make sure weightlifting remains a permanent fixture in your life, and you’re more likely to remain good at memory related tasks as you age.
You become an inspiration to other people
If you’re new to weightlifting, or to working out in general, then the chances are excellent just observing other people who are where you want to be some day inspires you to do better and be better. It’s only a matter of time before you become that person to someone else as well.
Your metabolism will go through the roof
The more often you work out and the more muscle you build, the higher your metabolism soars. The higher your metabolism, the more calories you burn. Metabolic function doesn’t just stay nice and high while you’re working out, either. It stays boosted for a good long time afterward.
You’ll meet new friends
One of the biggest perks that comes along with taking up any new hobby or pastime is the opportunity to make new friends. Weightlifting is no exception in this regard. You’ll meet other people who think like you and have the same priorities. Before long, you’ll have regular workout buddies. Take turns spotting each other and keeping each other inspired when the going gets rough.
Your heart health will improve
As is the case with any sort of exercise, weightlifting will help you improve the overall health of your heart, especially over time. To be more specific, you’ll develop a heart rate that’s lower when at rest than it is now. Lower resting heart rates add up to a lower risk of both heart attack and stroke over the long term.
Essential reading: Guide to lowering your resting heart rate with wearables
You’ll get exponentially better at sports
Have you always dreamed of successfully completing a marathon? Would you like to become the star of your office’s softball team or your competitive swim team? Start lifting weights and watch your ability to perform skyrocket. Weightlifting can help you push plateaus when it comes to both weight loss and athletic goals.
You’ll love the way you look more and more every day
Of course, not everyone starts lifting weights because they want to be more attractive, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would complain about it. Body fat starts to melt away. Muscles become more defined. You’ll start looking better and feeling better about the way you look as a result.
Your dietary habits will improve
If you’re one of the many people who wish they could get in the habit of eating right, we’ve got good news for you. Strength training and weightlifting will basically force you to get your diet in check in order to properly fuel your body and maintain your shape. Sooner or later you’ll be wondering how you ever enjoyed the junk you used to binge on before.
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