Why Weightlifting?

Strength, power, speed, endurance, aesthetics…..each of these traits can be trained with resistance training, also known as weight lifting. Weightlifting as it is currently known has existed since the mid-1800’s with the invention of the barbell and has been recognized in multiple forms as a competitive sport since approximately 1900. But lifting weights is not just for competitive individuals, as the benefits of training touch  most every aspect of day to day life. After age 30, we begin to lose muscle mass each year without incorporating some form of resistance training, and between ages 50 and 70 we can lose as much as 30% of our peak muscle mass unless we work our muscles.

Why is this important? Without strength in our arms and shoulders, simple tasks become labor intensive like carrying groceries, raking leaves, moving furniture while cleaning, and washing your car. Strong legs mean you can stay independent with getting up and down from a bed or chair, walking without taking a fall, or even standing up from the floor if you do have a fall later in life. Regular strength training, can begin at any point in life because it is truly never too late to begin working out and, can prolong your health and independence by minimizing the amount of muscle and function we tend to lose as we age.

Besides the long-term benefits of maintaining strength, weightlifting can have many short-term benefits. In pain? Lifting weights properly and with targeted movements can help alleviate pain by providing muscular support to irritated joints. Trying to beat a sibling, child, or parent in a foot race? A couple weeks of training can help get you across the finish line. But where do you start? There’s a lot of information out there on which program is best, or what type of movement you should train for the desired outcome, and all the online information can be overwhelming to someone just beginning their journey. The best place to start is your local gym, see if they have trainers available for their members, take some time to talk through your goals and ask all the questions you have.