Why everyone should lift weights? Some Science to back it up.

Why Should I Lift Weights? Because it's awesome!

Whether you call it weight lifting, pumping iron, or bodybuilding - lifting weights both light and heavy has long been a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. Check out this 100 year history of bodybuilding in pics .  Pretty cool huh? Hey, no matter your point of view on the bodybuilding look, be it grotesque or awe inspiring, there's no doubt that they look healthy and no, I'm not asking you to pump that much iron.  What they do and what the average Joe requires are two very different things. Weightlifting or weight training has many health benefits for both men and women.  If you want to build muscle mass, increase stamina, improve cardiac function, even stave off the symptoms of osteoporosis - you can accomplish all of that and so much more by lifting heavy things from time to time.  Oh did I mention the badassery that comes along with all that hoisting?  It is hard not feel empowered.

May 2nd-13th 5 pm M/W/F and 6pm M to F Join us FREE. 

 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

But before you launch yourself into some bodybuilding routine, remember it has to be done slowly. It has to start with functional training—exercises that carry over into daily living, like balance and agility drills, stretching, swimming, and bodyweight exercises so don't totally neglect other aspects of your health.  (I have some examples of this style of training you can do at home here.) To get the most health benefit out of lifting weights, you should combine your badassery (weight training) with other exercise. If you are not already doing some kind of aerobic or stretching routine everyday, you should definitely consider doing something to get the heart pumping and those muscles limber. That doesn't necessarily mean the old standbys of running, cycling, rowing or swimming for cardio, you could do some form of High Intensity Interval Training.  You know, move those weights faster.  Or a combination of bodyweight exercises performed quickly to get the ticker tocking. Here's a few examples to try at home. 

"P.S. Getting strong doesn't have to be a chore.

Check out this INSIDE CHERRY BOMB VID." 

The next question on your mind is likely to be "should I use free weights or machines?" and "how much weight should I work out with?" You can probably guess my answer from the above "at home" statement but you can use free weights or machines or maybe a little of both. It's really not my decision.  If you are working out in a gym, of course they will have both and hopefully they'll give a crap enough about you to recommend a "circuit" of weight lifting exercises for you before they let you wander aimlessly for the next year until your membership expires. (Ahem!  Find a better place to lift if that is currently you.  We just so happen to opening our doors for 2 whole weeks to those who are interested in what we do. Check it out!)  But, if you intend to lift weights in the home, it all depends on your budget and space to determine if you want to buy a "Home Gym" type monstrosity - or a good set of dumbbells or kettlebells - or both. I can't answer for the weight machines thingy, I have never used one nor have I wanted to either, but I do so like the free weights.  They require very little space and I'd even argue that once you learn how to use them properly you get a better workout than with a machine.   It's just you and gravity with zero help from the machine, so you are effectively using more muscle with free weights and working on fine motor control to boot.

Long story short. (Too late)
Lifting weights improves your strength and stamina. 
Lifting weights builds muscle and confidence, improves cardiovascular health and can actually help prevent other sports injuries.  Now some science!

You'll burn more calories.

Lifting increases the number of calories you burn while your butt is parked on the couch. That's because after each strength workout, your muscles need energy to repair their fibers. In fact, researchers found that when people did a total-body workout with just three big-muscle moves, their metabolisms were raised for 39 hours afterward. They also burned a greater percentage of calories from fat compared with those who didn't lift.

Lifting weights can help you lose extra pounds and you'll lose 40 percent more fat.

If you think cardio is the key to blasting belly fat, keep reading: When Penn State researchers put dieters into three groups—no exercise, aerobic exercise only, or aerobic exercise and weight training—they all lost around 21 pounds, but the lifters shed six more pounds of fat than those who didn't pump iron. Why? The lifters' loss was almost pure fat; the others lost fat and muscle.

Better capable of handling stress and be happier overall.

 Another study found that after a stressful situation, the blood pressure levels of people with the most muscle returned to normal faster than the levels of those with the least muscle. Scientists determined that the fittest people exhibited lower levels of stress hormones than those who were the least fit. Also, researchers found that people who performed three weight workouts a week for six months significantly improved their scores on measures of anger and overall mood.

Need I even mention Osteoporosis...sigh.

Did you know that weight training for osteoporosis -- not just walking or doing aerobics, but lifting weights -- can help protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis-related fractures? Studies show that strength training over a period of time can help prevent bone loss and may even help build new bone.

Lifting weights will make you a badass.

... or at the very least,  feel like one.  True story! So, what are you "weighting" for... even I'll groan on that one... Get strong.  Have fun!

P.S.  weightlifting won't make you bulky by accident.  You have to work REALLY HARD to put on muscle.  Especially if you're a woman.  So don't even start.  Be awesome!

P.S. Getting strong doesn't have to be a chore.  Check out this INSIDE CHERRY BOMB VID.  Just some of things we do to keep fit here at Cherry Bomb Gym. 

GET STRONG.  HAVE FUN!!

Sign up to get your FREE "At Home" workouts