Lifting weights is one of the best ways to look better and get stronger, but what if I told you there are more benefits? Multiple studies have proven that lifting weights improves strength, heart health, cognitive functions, mental strength, bodily balances, bone strength, and that is just scratching the surface. 

Health Benefits        

The health benefits of lifting weights mainly begins with building muscle. When you put your muscles through high tension and load, your muscles will begin a mechanism that allows it to grow by eating a high protein diet. According to Katey Davidson, A registered dietitian, she states “Building muscles increases your metabolic rate.” Having more muscle on your frame will allow you to burn more calories at rest and overall allows you to stay leaner and more fit. This is because muscle is more metabolically active than fat is, so this means that muscle cells will burn more calories than fat cells at rest, so throughout the day you will naturally be burning more calories. Not only does your muscles get stronger, but you joint will too. This is because when you strengthen your muscles around key areas like joints, the muscle will allow it to be more stable and able to sustain more pressure. An exercise you can do to help prevent injury for you shoulders is a rotator cuff external and internal rotations with a very light dumbbell (1lbs). This will strengthen the joint with the shoulder which will be highly beneficial. 

Cognitive Improvement

Multiple Studies an Austin Perlmutter M.D (AN author to many credible articles) has shown that people who move their bodies are at lower risk of alzheimer’s disease and depression. Lifting weights improves insulin sensitivity and enhances brain signals. Alzhimers is linked to blood sugar levels which insulin regulates. So if you are lifting weights, this may help regulate your blood sugar through insulin, aiding in alzheimer’s. Also, lifting has shown a decrease in depressive symptoms. Lifting weights triggers endorphins and serotonin which are known to have mood-boosting effects. Just simply lifting weights will help your overall longevity from these second hand benefits that are not talked about enough.

Mental Strength

Mental strength is huge when it comes to lifting weights. Mental strength plays a major role because you have to mentally exert yourself to improve, The gym will also allow you to learn valuable skills for life in general. My brother Isaiah explains that, “Except delayed gratification, your not going to see results right away, but if you put you mind to it and give it your best shot, you will start to see results.” This is important because you can take this into other aspects in you life, like your job. The gym will allow you to have some mental shifts as well, and Isaiah also explains, “ It has changed my perspective on how there is a big health problem in the world. If everyone did some form of activity and started eating correct, a lot of their health problems would be fixed. You can have a million problems, until you have a health problem, then you only have one problem.” This shows how he had a mentality shift when it came to health. How health is your number one priority in life and if you do some sort of activity/exercise everyday, you can prolongate your longevity and stay mentally and physically fit. Once you have your health in order, you will mentally be in order.

Body Strength

The gym will allow your entire body to gain strength and endurance. Katey Davidson also mentioned “How lifting can “Make your bones stronger” and “Improves heart health.” This is important for overall health because just getting bigger muscles won’t make you healthier, it’s everything that happens when you work out. When lifting, your bones have to take the stress load of the weights, and overtime your muscles will adapt to the stress and become more dense and stronger. Also, your heart will be at a constant rapid pace which will improve your heart endurance over time. When working out, you also exercise your heart, mind, lungs, bones, mind and more. The body as a whole becomes stronger which is crucial for being a healthy individual. 

Weightlifting has widely been known to be one of the best ways to build muscle, but many people haven’t learned what else it can do for you like improve cognitive functions, more mental strength, and a happier and healthier body overall. But it does not just have to be lifting weights to get these benefits, just doing simple exercise everyday can improve your longevity.