The Lifelong Benefits of Weight Lifting

We probably don’t have to tell you about the awesome short-term benefits of weight lifting. It boosts endorphins, provides you with a sense of community, and is a healthy hobby that allows you to set goals and see just how much you can achieve.

Whether you’re a fighter or just someone who wants to train like one, weight lifting is one of the best things you can do for strength and muscle control. Plus, come on, it’s practically addicting to work on beating your personal best!

But, lifting is about more than just picking up heavy things and seeing how much you can bench compared to your buddies. There are lifelong benefits when it comes to strength training. No matter your age, fitness level, or health goals, your body and mind will both benefit from including weights in your workout routine.

Let’s take a look at some of those benefits, and why weight lifting should be a standard part of your regimen.

It Can Regulate Hormones

Your hormones play a big role in your overall health. When they are out of balance, it can lead to a variety of unfortunate side effects, including:

• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Fatigue
• Changes in mood
• Difficulty sleeping

Hormones fluctuate with age and lifestyle choices, including your diet and activity levels. Regular exercise, including weight lifting, can help to increase the testosterone in your body and regulate other hormones. That can help you get enough sleep, avoid endocrine disruptors, and even make it easier to manage your stress levels.

When you lift heavier weights, you’ll also repair your muscle fibers. There’s a reason strength training is about more than just looking good and having big muscles. It helps you to become stronger from the inside out. Obviously, you shouldn’t take on more than you can handle, but an appropriate strength training routine can get you back on track with your training, even while recovering from an injury.

You’ll Lose Weight – And Feel Great

There’s no question that regular exercise can help with weight loss, Most people think of cardiovascular exercises like running or cycling when it comes to weight loss. But, strength training is a fantastic way to lose weight. You might be building muscle, but you’re also burning calories. If you want to lose a few pounds to look better while you pose in the mirror, we’re not here to judge.

But, more importantly, the weight loss you experience from strength training can have more beneficial long-term effects that promote better health, rather than a better physique.

There are so many benefits to losing excess weight, including:

• Better sleep
• Reduced pain
• Improved breathing
• Better fertility
• Reduced risk of illnesses like diabetes

Weight loss can also help to prevent conditions like varicose veins. When you’re carrying around too much weight, it puts a lot of pressure on your veins and could cause them to become unsightly, and even painful. Maintaining a healthy weight will improve your vein health and the way they look.

Losing weight from strength training isn’t just good for your physical health. It can boost your mood, improve your focus, and give you more self-esteem. If you’re training to be a fighter, confidence is key. Losing weight and building muscle are great confidence boosters, so you’ll head into every match feeling your best in every way possible.

It Optimizes What Your Body Can Do

While lifting weights isn’t going to turn you into the Terminator, it can make your body start to feel like a finely-tuned machine over time. For starters, it benefits your balance, posture, and coordination. Those are skills you need both in and out of the gym, and things that will benefit you throughout your daily routine.

Second, it helps your body to burn calories more efficiently. You’ve probably heard before that muscle burns more calories than fat. Even when you’re done with a successful strength training session, your body will continue to burn calories at a faster pace as it goes back to its resting state. By the time you’re back home resting on your couch and binging your favorite Netflix show, your body will still be burning calories from your workout – it’s a pretty good deal!

Finally, weight lifting will boost your bone density and improve muscle mass. Those are two incredibly important benefits to consider as you get older. It’s common to lose muscle mass and bone density with age. By making strength training part of your exercise routine now, you’re more likely to keep your body strong and healthy forever.

So, while it’s fun to track your gains, set goals for yourself, and see just how far you can push your limits, don’t ignore or forget the lifelong benefits that come from weight lifting. Whether you’re training for a fight, you want to be more fit, or you just want to lead a healthy lifestyle, make sure strength training is a part of it, rather than solely focusing on cardio.