The Surprising Benefits of Weightlifting: Why You Should Add It to Your Fitness Routine.

Strength training, also known as weightlifting or resistance training, is a great way to improve your fitness and overall health. Contrary to popular belief, lifting weights is not just for bodybuilders or athletes.

People of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from this type of exercise.

WHY? Here you have some reasons:

1. Increased muscle mass: By lifting weights, you can increase your muscle mass, which in turn boosts your metabolism and helps you burn more calories throughout the day.
2. Stronger bones: Weightlifting can help increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, especially in older adults.
3. Better balance and coordination: Strengthening your muscles can improve your balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
4. Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Regular strength training has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
5. Improved mental health: Lifting weights has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve overall mood and self-esteem.
6. Better sleep: Regular exercise, including strength training, can help improve the quality of your sleep, which is essential for overall health and well-being.
7. Improved athletic performance: Strength training can increase speed, power, and endurance, leading to improved athletic performance.
8. Injury recovery: Weightlifting can also help with injury recovery by strengthening muscles and improving flexibility and range of motion. This can be especially beneficial for people recovering from injuries or surgeries, as it can help speed up the healing process and prevent future injuries. However, it’s important to work with a healthcare professional or physical therapist to ensure you’re using proper techniques and not aggravating the injury during weightlifting exercises.
9. Increased metabolism: By building lean muscle mass, lifting weights can increase your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day, even when you’re not exercising. This is especially beneficial for weight loss and weight management.

To prevent injuries, it’s crucial to lift weights safely and with proper form. If you’re new to strength training, consider working with a personal trainer or fitness professional to ensure you’re using the correct technique and form.

Here are some tips to help you prevent injuries while weightlifting:

• Start with proper form: Proper form is essential to prevent injury. Make sure you understand the correct technique for each exercise and practice it consistently before adding weight.
• Warm up properly: A proper warm-up prepares the body for exercise and helps prevent injury. This can include a light cardio warm-up, such as jogging or cycling, as well as dynamic stretching to loosen up the muscles.
• Use proper equipment: Make sure you’re using the correct equipment for your fitness level, and that it’s in good condition. This includes weights, weightlifting belts, gloves, and shoes.
• Progress gradually: Gradually increase the weight and intensity of your exercises over time to prevent injury. Start with a lower weight and work your way up.
• Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body and don’t push yourself beyond your limits. If you feel pain or discomfort, stop the exercise and rest until you’re feeling better.
• Have a balanced routine: Include exercises that work different muscle groups and include both strength and cardio exercises in your routine. This will help prevent overuse injuries and promote overall fitness.
• Get adequate rest: Make sure you’re getting enough rest and recovery time between weightlifting sessions. Overtraining can lead to injury and fatigue.
• Seek professional guidance: If you’re new to weightlifting, work with a personal trainer to learn proper technique and develop a safe, effective workout plan. In VivaBody we can help you with this! Do not hesitate in contacting us for more info!
  

In conclusion, lifting weights has numerous benefits for overall health and well-being, including increased muscle mass, stronger bones, better balance and coordination, reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved mental health, better sleep, improved athletic performance, and increased metabolism.

By lifting weights safely and with proper form, you can improve your fitness, achieve your weight loss goals, and prevent injury.

Start incorporating strength training into your fitness routine today!