Stop wasting your time-Lift weights to make real progress | PhitZone

Photo: Jon Tunnell

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?

• Kettlebells To Be THE Next Big Thing — Really (9)
• P90X, The Return (3)
• Getting Back on the P90X Train (0)
• P90X – Week 3 (5)