5 Reasons to Start Weightlifting NOW!

5 Reasons to Start Weightlifting NOW!

 

Enjoy this guest post from Big Sky New Britain Coach Maggie Nelson. Maggie has her bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, as well as her NASM CPT and Precision Nutrition Certification. She is passionate about teaching people to live a happy, healthy, and balanced life.

The truth is we could list SO many more reasons than just 5. We could go on and on and on, but this will give you just a big enough taste to get you running over to the dumbbells and have you feeling all the ways your life will change for the better.

If you’re someone who comes to the gym and does cardio because you’re lost when it comes to strength training – you aren’t alone. Plenty of our members simply don’t know what to do so they don’t do anything at all. Fear is most likely the biggest limiting factor when it comes to skipping weightlifting all together, and we’re here to change that!

When you look around the gym we’re talking about all the fun “toys” you see in our functional spaces, the selectorized machines you see scattered around the floor, and the traditional barbells and dumbbells you see as well. They all qualify as resistance, or strength training, and they are all unique in their own way. There’s no right or wrong, there’s not one that’s better than the other. The truth is – the best ones are the ones that you enjoy! We want you to feel good and get all of these benefits, in whatever way makes you feel FANTASTIC!

So let’s dive right in. Why weight train? Here are just 5 reasons…

1. To slow down aging due to muscle loss.

That’s right – without strength training our bodies naturally start losing muscle by the age of 35 or 40. That means if we aren’t doing anything to prevent it, each year we are slowly losing muscle. For older adults that means we’re losing strength to prevent serious injuries from falls, so even if you think it’s too late to start, every little bit helps. A consistent routine targeting full body strength, core stabilization, and balance can help slow down the progression of muscle loss, therefore slowing down the aging process.

2. To look better on the beach!

Cardio workouts are great for burning calories in the moment but won’t do nearly as much to change the actual shape of your body. Do you want those sculpted legs that make people look twice when you’re on vacation? That’s the work of lunges and squats in your strength training workouts. Slowly adding in resistance training has a high possibility of changing body composition when done the correct way.  Start off with simple workouts with moderate weights that challenge your muscles. If you’re not sure where to start, ask a Big Sky Coach for a few tips to get you going! A big part of using resistance training to change your physique is consistently switching small parts of your workouts to keep those muscles guessing and changing over time. You’ll be confidently walking the beach in no time!

3. To get stronger.

This one may seem obvious, but one of the most practical benefits of strength training is to get stronger. Think of regular household chores. Carrying laundry up the stairs. Getting your kids in and out of the car seat. Bringing the groceries in from the car. Now imagine you’ve regularly been lifting 10 or 15 pound weights at the gym. How much easier will those tasks be? Your neighbors will watch in amazement as you grab all 10 grocery bags at once and effortlessly maneuver them in the house without breaking a sweat.

4. To prevent injury.

One of the biggest reasons resistance training has been added to so many high school and collegiate athletic programs is because of injury prevention in athletes, and the reasoning is the same as preventing injuries in your everyday life. The strains we put on our bodies almost always lead to imbalances, and when our bodies are imbalanced or overused in certain areas, they are weaker in others. The aches and pains we walk around with on a day-to-day basis can usually be improved by following a simple resistance training program and will generally prevent those aches from turning into a full blown injury. Strength training exercises also work to increase bone density, which will further reduce the risk of serious injury long term.

5. To boost your self-esteem.

So you’re coming to the gym and walking on the treadmill because it’s what you’ve always done, but walking over to those weights and trying something new and sticking with it – that’s a game changer. Strength training, especially in young adults, has been proven to correlate with a more positive body image, higher self-esteem, and lower social anxiety. It’s the perfect way to work towards a new goal, try something new, and gain numerous health benefits in the process.

If you’ve never tried it before, of course ask your doctor first and start slowly, but the options are endless!

Not sure where to start? We’re here to help! Just ask a Big Sky Coach, stop by the desk and ask the Extreme Team how you can get started, or sign up for our FREE 10-Day Personal Training Experience* HERE and start seeing results faster!

See you at Big Sky!

* Open to both Members and Non-Members. Must not have done Personal Training, Team Training or a Team Training Trial in the past 6 months.