Strength Training

Weight Lifting and Genetics – is strength and muscle mass predetermined?

There’s no question we can do a lot to reshape our bodies with diet and exercise. But there’s also no question that genes determine a lot of how we look: our builds, how easily we gain or lose muscle and fat, and and whether we tend to build short, compact or long, lean muscles. The real question is: just how much do our genes predetermine? ...

Weightlifting and Definition

The term “definition” is often used incorrectly in fitness terms. Not only by average people, but by experts writing for magazines and trainers at gyms. People often use the term to refer to the opposite of bulk: a slim, lean muscular physique rather than a bulky shape. “Definition” actually refers to visible muscle. Bulky bodybuilders typically have excellent definition, with the shape of many muscles ...

Safety Tips for Weight Lifting

As you read about weightlifting and all its benefits, you’ll probably notice a lot of admonitions to lift weights “correctly” and “safely” and “consult a professional” if you have any doubts about your physical capabilities. A lot of articles cover some of the basic issues that can lead to injury when you lift weights incorrectly. I’m going to go more in depth on the topic ...

Weightlifting for Bulk

We’ve talked a lot about how you don’t have to get bulky from weightlifting, and therefore weightlifting should be part of everyone’s routine. But what if you want to bulk up? Is that still a healthy and viable way to get health benefits from weightlifting? The answer is: sure, if you do it right. First, you should be aware that some people have a very ...

Weight Lifting for Women

Weightlifting used to be thought of as a sport for competitive body builders or people who wanted to look like them. It was considered a way to achieve a look and impress people rather than a component of fitness. But in recent years, researchers have begun to discover the health benefits of weight lifting for everyone – and it has nothing to do with bulking ...

Should I Lift Weights?

Weight lifting or strength training offers numerous health benefits for men, women and even children. There are a number of ways to go about it, depending on your strength level and body type and what you hope to achieve. It’s not about becoming muscle-bound or achieving a certain look. There’s so much more to it. Lifting weights can lower your BMI. It can increase your ...

Weightlifting for Heart Health

In the past, cardio workouts were considered the best way to improve your health heart and keep your cardiovascular system strong. Cardio workouts lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and for this reason, are essential to heart and cardiovascular health. Weightlifting was considered non-beneficial to people with heart attack and stroke concerns. In fact, many doctors discouraged their patients from weightlifting because it ...

Weightlifting for Depression and Anxiety

It was once believed that weightlifting was bad for children because it inherently damaged their bone growth plates. The elderly were considered too frail to lift weights for strength training. And it just wasn’t considered ladylike for women. We’ve come a long way from these ideas – none of which are quite true. Weightlifting can cause damage to anyone when it’s done incorrectly, and the ...

Weight Lifting and Back Injuries

While the benefits of weightlifting outweigh the risks, and getting instruction from a competent trainer should enable you to avoid injury or strain, weightlifting is not without risk. It is possible to hurt muscles by overworking them or working them incorrectly. The area of great concern is the back, because back injuries are difficult to heal, and problems in the back can affect many other ...

Weight Lifting for Joint Health

Can weightlifting help with arthritis and other joint problems? Knee and hip replacements are becoming more and more healthy, but who wants surgery if there’s an easier way? An exercise routine that includes weightlifting can help prevent the need for surgery by strengthening your joints now. In 2006, the periodical Arthritis Care and Research released a study which traced the progress of two groups of ...

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