The 10 REAL Reasons You Should Lift Weights!

Moving you body weight is a great form of resistance exercise.

Resistance or weight training has been proven to get results. The benefits include: increased bone density; improved mobility, balance and posture;  increased lean body mass and decreased body fat; improved joint function and muscle, tendon and ligament strength; injury prevention; prevention and control of disease; kicks the metabolism right up the jacksy and blah, blah, blah…you’ve probably heard all that before. But I want to let you know about some reasons you may not have considered, or maybe you have? Here are the 10 REAL reasons you should lift!

1- It helps you sort your shit out!

Well, not literally although it certainly will get your motor running! Exercise in general is proven to lift your spirits, clear the mind and is the leading natural remedy to aid depression and anxiety – it should be the number one recommendation from doctors. Lifting weights is no different and because of the mindfulness of lifting I reckon it works even better. You’ll need to find yourself a great trainer to show you how to lift with purpose! Results have everything to do with “how” you lift, not “what” you lift. Once you know how you will never do another cardio session on the bike reading a book or walking on the treadie watching TV!

2-Your booty and boobies will get an instant lift!

Possibly inappropriate but you get the drift!

Who doesn’t want firm bits and less sag south? I guarantee with the correct exercises performed the right way you will have a nicely shaped booty – a cardio booty will still sag, but not a deadlift booty. You know how the saying goes…”strong is the new sexy!” And as far as boobs go, if you have really big ones and want to lose a bit (that is usually what I’m asked from women who are well endowed) weights usually helps pull back a few sizes. If you are like me and your kids sucked any you had away, then at least they can be perky!

And guys, I know you hate your man boobs. Get confident to take your top off this summer at the beach and developed some pecs by lifting!

3-You’ll stand tall in older age!

A HH client who at age 60 years is reversing the ageing process.

We’ve all seen it. The little old man or woman who shrinks and hunches as they get older. The “hunching” of the spine (kyphosis)can be so intense that it inhibits movement and makes reaching to the top cupboard, driving or even sitting difficult. I went to a 90th birthday party recently and spent some time observing the posture in the room – it wasn’t good-and that’s not the 90 year old I’m talking about. But what if now you started working with a trainer who can teach you about scapula retraction and you start to reverse the effects. I’ve also seen what a 12 week FIRE (focussed, intense, resistance, exercise) program can do to reverse the process – yep, just 12 weeks-I have proof!

 4-People will stare at, or want to touch your biceps.

Tommy Hafey – AFL legend and avid weight lifter throughout his life.

Ever had that happen? No? Then go lift so you can get people admiring those guns and you too can wear tight t-shirts! Tommy Hafey was one of the best at it…he loved his weight sessions. And yes I did ask to touch his biceps once!

5-Your kids will want to have muscles “just like you!”

Who doesn’t want to be a great role model for their kids. “I want to grow up to be just like you Dad…” Do your kids say this? Are you the very best role model you could be? At the risk of making Stubbo’s head swell, at present, in our children’s minds, he is the strongest man in the world and can fix anything – we don’t call him MacGyver for nothing!

6-It’s better than sex!

*note no picture to support text here!

Well, I guess that depends on your partner! But in terms of boosting your metabolism weight training wins hands down. Weight training builds lean muscle which has the biggest daily influence over your metabolism.

Paul Cribb, Metabolic Precision founder states; “Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have recently shown that one intense weight lifting work out boosted the metabolism for a whopping two days after the event.”

Sex burns around 144 calories per half hour and seriously that depends on if you move like Ricky Martin (mmmm picture that for a moment…)! But let’s face it, the average session is probably about 10 minutes (I know I’m exaggerating right?) that’s a measly 48 calories…bugger!

7-You get to make strange noises and pull the ugliest faces!

Having a  go…

Just saw a ghost!

For those of us who have given birth, when you are really having a go it can sound much the same pushing weights! Those memories you may want to forget but there is something pretty liberating about letting out guttural moans or mooing like a cow! If that’s not you, squeaks and silence is fine too…find your thing and make it work for you. Pulling the most ridiculous face is ok too. I mean there is no other place you can get away with looking so outrageous and it is totally normal.

8- You’ll be able to wave goodbye without the wiggly bits!

One of the things many woman tell me is they “hate” their arms and wish the bits underneath didn’t wiggle when they wave. Because of the extra wiggle, cardies are kept on; long sleeves are worn even when it is 40 degrees and waves become stifled, dare I say a little Queen like. Here’s the thing – lift weights, learn how to transform your body and your arms will follow!

9-As you get stronger on the outside you’ll become stronger from within.

I have had countless clients break down in tears during a weight training session. It’s raw, it’s often about confronting the things you are not good at; it’s intense but it is also life changing.  As you start to believe in yourself in the weight room you’ll take that belief into everything you do! You’ll stand up to bullies; do something that scares the be-Jesus out of you; you’ll love more and hate less.

10-You’ll be able to perform tasks not performed by the average human being!

Who doesn’t want to be the person everyone looks to, to perform super human feats. Like just recently when nobody else in the house (yes, including my hubby) could open the jam jar and I was able to do it. My kids looked at me with “super woman” written all over their face. You too can be Dwayne Johnson aka “The Rock” and save the day in your own movie!

Ok seriously  team, I love to lift weights.  It keeps me sane, healthy, injury free and as I age stronger than I ever thought I could be. Building lean muscle is the only natural way to reverse the ageing process. With the right trainer (look out for a Metabolic Precision Trainer minimum level 2), you’ll have the potential to transform your mind, body and soul. Go forth and lift!