Not only is weightlifting a great sport or health activity in and of itself – it’s also great as cross-training for any other sport you’re into. Whether you engage in a general weightlifting routine to enhance your overall health and strength or target certain muscle groups you use in other sports activities, the benefits are very good.
This is why weightlifting is part of the routine for any professional or serious amateur athlete. Baseball and tennis players can gain strength in their arms, shoulders and backs via a well-designed routine with weights. Cyclists and runners can strengthen their legs considerably more quickly with weight workouts than without. While swimming acts on the body almost like a weightlifting routine, because of the difficulty involved in shifting water with muscles, swimmers benefit from a full-body weightlifting routine because it stresses the muscles differently than the swimming does and lowers overall body fat.
Weightlifting is a great addition to any workout routine, whether you’re a professional athlete or just someone wanting to improve your health. Trainers recommend doing 15-20 minutes of aerobic (cardio) exercise before every weightlifting session, and that may be all the “cross-training” you need. It’s also both good for you and less boring if you vary your workouts often: work the upper body one day and the lower the next. Or work everything every day, but in a different order from one day to the next.
Remember: you need not invest in a gym membership or in expensive equipment to get a good workout with weights.
Filed in Exercise, Strength Training
Updated: October 13, 2009
Copyright: October 13, 2009
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