To lose weight, we need to do tons of cardio and diet, right? I could go on and write a book about how the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar money maker and diet is a four letter word that is not sustainable. Cardiovascular exercise has many important benefits that should not be discounted, but the missing piece is typically resistance training. Here’s a simple list of why we want to lift heavy shit.

What lifting weights does for our bodies

Improves the strength of our muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. We not only strengthen our muscles, we are strengthening all the tissue around our joints and our bones! Hello stronger and more mobile joints! Hello improved bone density for women!
Increases lean tissue and in turn, decreases body fat. Your metabolic rate is increased during your recovery days. If you want to change your body composition, strength training is essential. A person who weighs 150 lbs and has 120 lbs of muscle will burn more calories just to exist compared to a 150 lb person who has 100 lbs of muscle.
For any athletic pursuit or activity of daily living, you will be more resilient to injury. Increased strength creates a reduction in effort needed for a given load. This means if you are a runner, each stance phase of your gait is better able to handle the force of your body weight and gravity. Or this means that stack of clean dishes is now easier to lift from counter to cabinet.

The best way to get started is to find someone who is FMS2 certified where you live to view your movement patterns and provide the most effective program for you. Here’s to getting stronger!

Written by Kristina Cagno, M.A.