The activity of lifting weight can be seen as an intimidating aspect to fitness. Many feel that is is solely reserve for the more experienced of individuals.
The truth is that weight training is scalable and adaptable for anyone. The health benefits of weight training can have a positive effect on our physiological, biomechanical and even neurological pathways. Sadly, those same benefits are grossly overshadowed by years of myths based upon misconceptions and ideas of questionable credibility.
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Today we are going to list some of the biggest myths and shed some light in the dark and scary weight training room.
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1. Weight Training is Dangerous.
Anything is dangerous if done incorrectly. Weight training is no exception. Take the time to speak to a training professional and learn the proper form of each basic movements. If you’re interested in reading up before taking the plunge, there are a few good books out there written by some great coaches. One of my favorites is Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength; it's a great read.
Once you’ve done some reading and note comparing with your friendly neighborhood trainer, you’ll find that weight training is very safe.
2. Women shouldn’t do weight training or they’ll get bulky.
Simply put, you will not get bulky from picking up heavy things.
"...But did you hear that Gwyneth Paltrow’s trainer makes sure that she doesn’t pick up anything more than 3 lbs?"
Does this mean she’s not allowed to pick up her children? Move around furniture? what about the groceries. Oh wait, she’s a movie star, she must have someone else do all of those things for her.
What about us? The average everyday parent that has to carry the sleeping child, the groceries and the rucksack full of supplies up the stairs?
The fact is, women and cannot naturally produce the same amount of testosterone (the hormone responsible for muscle size) as men do. What weight training does do is increase Muscle Endurance. In other words, you’ll get stronger, plain and simple.
3. Weight Training won’t help me lose weight or get toned.
On top of the increased strength, your muscle fibers become thicker and more dense. It’s those same muscles that appear more defined and thus help in the toning process. Weight training also helps increase your metabolism. All that combined with a bit of cardio work and/or a high intensity circuit, you watch that fat melt away and that tight and toned body peak through.
4. There HAS to be one master combination of lifts that does it all right?
Although there are many lifts (Clean & Jerk / Snatch) that incorporate your whole body, there is no one ring to rule them all. We are all different people with different needs and goals. Find something you like, stick with it, adjust it if you have to and above all, track your progress.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few steps,
1. Read up and find something you like!
2. Pick a goal and a have a deadline
3. Go talk to your trainer
4. Continue to challenge your self.
I hope this post flips the switch and sheds some light on a few of the bigger myths surrounding weight training. It really does so much more for our body, our mind, our soul and the benefits last.
Keep an eye out for our next post that highlights the benefits of adding in weight training to our workout routine.
For now, will see you at Forever Fitness Center.
If you have any questions or comments, shoot me an email at foreverfitmiguel@gmail.com
