Why Everyone Should Lift Weights

Weight training brings many more benefits than simply helping you gain muscle or burn fat. We love James Clear’s take on the additional perks strength training can add to your life. https://jamesclear.com/why-lift-weights

FROM THE ARTICLE:

I’ll say it plain and simple: you should be lifting weights. But not necessarily for the reasons that you might think.

For example, I don’t believe that strength is the main benefit of weight training.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love being strong as much as the next person, but there is more value in weight training than simply gaining muscle or losing fat.

When I think back on the time I’ve spent training (around 10 years now), here are the most valuable benefits I’ve discovered…

1. Pushing Yourself Physically Reveals What You’re Made of Mentally

A few weeks ago, I posted an update on Twitter that asked the following question…

Just had a great talk about the value of sports vs. reading in life. Have you learned more from pushing yourself physically or mentally?

Many of you sent in great answers, but I particularly liked this one from Tom

Not sure which — there’s tremendous value in each. Mental teaches you about others, physical teaches you about yourself.

Tom explained what I hadn’t quite been able to put my finger on: there is an incredible amount to be learned from both reading and playing sports, but you’ll learn more about yourself when you push yourself physically.

My experiences have mirrored this. While I’ve learned a great deal about myself from mental pursuits like writing and photography, I’ve discovered far more about my mental strength and my ability to overcome failure by playing baseball for 17 years, competing in olympic weightlifting, and battling to achieve certain strength goals.

Challenging your own body is the greatest method for discovering the strength of your mind. Nowhere is this more true than with strength training. There will be days when you don’t feel like coming into the gym. There will be sets that you don’t feel like finishing. There will be times when everyone else in the gym will see you fail.

And if you keep showing up anyway, then you’ll develop the mental fortitude to get past failure, work when you don’t feel like it, and discover what you’re really made of mentally and physically.