Why Weightlifting?

As a personal training business owner, I’m getting ready for the influx of newcomers in January.

Yes, even though I’ve been explaining the importance of NOT waiting until January to get started, a lot of people can't overcome human nature.

And that’s fine, as long as they get started.

And get started the right way.

I’m also ready for a lot of newcomers to weightlifting who will have a lot of questions about why it’s so important.

They’ll ask, “Isn’t it true that weightlifting …”

• Is too intense?

• Too much for me?

• Dangerous?

• Will make me bulky?

• Not necessary, why not just burn some calories on the treadmill?

So, those are the stories that many people tell themselves about strength training.

Here are the facts:

⇒ A study from the University of Texas at Austin showed that all-out exercise for 4 seconds at a time can significantly improve cardiovascular fitness and build muscle mass.

Four seconds!

⇒ Another study published in Sports Medicine supports the validity of “Newbie Gains.” This is the phenomenon that happens when an inactive person starts lifting weights for the first time.

According to the study, “The average beginner weightlifter tacks on about four to seven pounds of extra muscle over their first three months of lifting. Meanwhile, over your first full year of weightlifting, you can expect to burn anywhere from 12-24% body fat while adding somewhere between 10 and 25 pounds of extra lean muscle.”

Wow!

That’s big.

Weightlifting is the most effective fat-loss and muscle-gain strategy known to mankind, and the science backs it up.

And this is especially true for people who are new to weightlifting.

Something to think about if you’re thinking about starting a weightlifting program or adding more weightlifting to your current workout routine.

Adam