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 correct way for a twenty-five-year-old man may not be ideal for a seventy-year-old woman. But there is a weightlifting routine for most anyone.
You may already know some of the benefits of weightlifting: increasing your resting metabolism so you burn more calories, giving you better strength and combating osteoporosis. These benefits contribute to your long-term health. But you might be surprised to learn weightlifting also has anti-depressant qualities. It raises your level of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. Endorphins are believed to fight pain, enhance the immune system, reduce stress and slow the aging process; dopamine gives you increased energy; and serotonin elevates your general feeling of contentment, safety and well-being.
For this reason, weightlifting is excellent for stress and anxiety relief. A weightlifting routine, especially combined with a good cardio workout, can combat chronic depression as well – even without medication.
Filed in Strength Training
Updated: July 22, 2010
Copyright: April 24, 2010
