Stop wasting your time-Lift weights to make real progress
Make the most of your time and effort
Stop wasting your time. Lifting weights is the only way to make real progress. There is nothing wrong with cardio work. It may not be my favorite thing, there is a time and place for it. But did you know that you will see faster results through strength training?
Let’s start off by assuring anybody with a concern (ladies?). You will not bulk up like a man. Big muscles are built through a combination of strength training, a large amount of calories, and genetics. For those of the fairer sex, this means testosterone.
Build a better body
Lifting weights builds muscle. Muscle burns fat for fuel. Lift weights-burn fat. Burn fat, speed up your metabolism. Speed up your metabolism, continue burning fat. That’s a pretty sweet cycle.
Simple body weight exercise, such as push-ups, are very effective training methods. The not-so-secret though is that training with free weights is the best way to improve your physique. Even using if you just use the big three (squat, bench press, and deadlift), you will see advances in strength, and overall conditioning.
Training with weights builds bone density. Increased bone density means strong bones. Strong bones equals a decreased chance for osteoporosis later in life.
Have you ever heard of someone “advanced in years” falling and breaking a hip? Stronger bones help prevent this from happening.
To go with those stout bones are reinforced joints. Lifting weights strengthens tendons and ligaments. This will help prevent sports related injuries, such as knees, shoulders and elbows.
Why do I want a better body?
Strength training, especially with free weights (barbells, dumbells, kettlebells, etc.), works not only major muscles, but also some of the lesser utilized muscles. This is especially true with compound exercises, such as squats, deadlifts, and bench-press.
This type of training will improve core strength. Better balance, and reduce back pain are just a couple of results of a stronger core. If you are an athlete, you will discover better performance. The weekend warrior will see improvement in their given sport.
You don’t have to be an athlete to see these type of results. Even the average man and woman will see improvements in daily activities. From holding children to vacuuming. Mowing the lawn to cleaning out the garage.
Obviously all of this weight training will make you stronger. Strength equals power. Power makes us feel good. You will find a little swagger in your walk. Perhaps even believe in yourself.
There is a definite air of confidence in those who are strong. Are you confident in your strength?
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YES! With a good lifting program, you don’t even need to spend any time doing cardio. Just lift weights!
I love lifting now. When I first started, I only did cardio. Now I split it up throughout the week.
@Tim, That’s great to hear. Are you seeing better progress now?
I liked the article. Your explanation on why strength training burns fat better than simple cardio is much easier than my expanded explanation of the same subject. Nicely done!
@Kyle – Thank you, sir. BTW, I took a look at your site. I’m diggin’ it.
@Chuckles I wouldn’t go as far as to say not to do any cardio. Both HIIT and LISS have their places in most any workout program. They should just not be the center.
Does that make sense?
Resistance training was the key turning point in my weight loss. Before that, I was losing weight, but I was becoming skinny-fat. Lifting weights caused me to put weight back on, but it was lean muscle. I began to look and feel better.
I think for myself I would add cardio in my weekly routine. Of course it depends on where you are in regards to your level of fitness. But to me the cardio breaks up the monotony of the week. Unless that is you are planning on being another Arnold or Lou.