Why Lift Weights?

1. Boost confidence - Training with weights, especially heavier weights, is shown to improve your self-confidence. It can also reduce anxiety, ease depression and increase happiness.

2. Get stronger - Heavy weights increase the power and strength of your muscles without adding a lot of bulk, especially for women. Consistent training will increase the amount of weight you are able to lift and generally make daily physical tasks easier. Plus, you’ll look stronger as strength training enhances muscle mass and definition.

3. Trim fat - Regular strength training effects an “after burn” where the body continues to utilise more calories in the hours post-workout. Moreover, strength training builds muscle. Increased muscle mass boosts the calories you burn daily without exercise.

4. Amplify brain power - Training with weights increases the production of many hormones, including IGF-1, responsible for stimulating connections in the brain which in turn can enhance cognitive function. 

5. Prevent injury - Resistance training with either body weight or free weights, strengthens your bones and connective tissues. This improved strength and stability may help prevent injuries and maintain a strong body. It can also help reduce symptoms of various conditions like back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.

6. Improve endurance, speed, and running economy (the amount of energy and effort it takes to perform an activity). To reap this benefit when weight-training, the heavier the better.

7. Defy aging - reportedly, inactive adults can lose 3 to 8% of muscle mass per decade. Heavy resistance training can help fight, and reverse, the loss of muscle mass. It can also strengthen bones and help prevent osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.

(Image by Logan Weaver @Unsplash)