OK, I get it. Articles on ‘Why Weight Training is Great’ are everywhere. Especially in January when the fitness industry goes into overdrive to sell you gadgets you don’t need and supplements that don’t work.

I know because I’ve been there. I’ve popped every dodgy ‘fat burner’ and ‘diet shake’ out there. I can’t even bear to think about how much I spent on snake oil type supplements.

The magazine shelves are full of hastily re-written articles on How to Strip Away Fat (sounds painful), How to Peel Away Your Belly Blubber (also painful).

I even saw one fitness magazine article advertised as ‘How to Get Fit and Have Offensively Good Sex’. And yes, I was too scared to see what that entailed.

The problem with all of these articles is that they’re selling you something. It’s hard to see through the wall of advertising into the real issues.

Is weight training really that great or do you just want me to buy a weight gainer so I can go on an ill advised winter bulk?

The great thing about this article is that I’m not selling you a thing. In fact, I want you to read this and then close your computer and do 20 push ups.

Just kidding.

Unless you want to…

Instead, this is a no BS, straight from my personal experience, guide on why you should take up weight lifting. Or if you already do it, why you need to ramp it up. Keep reading if you want the knowledge.

this dad does why you should lift weights

Confession Time

I’ll admit it, I haven’t always lifted weights. In fact, I wasn’t even a regular at a gym until six years ago. How that happened is another story for another time.

But the point is, I got to weight training late. I was well into my mid-twenties before I picked up anything heavier than a petrol can.

But in those six years, I’ve seen changes in my body that I was not prepared for. And it seems to get better as I get older. In the past year, my overall weight has stayed the same while my muscle mass, leanness and strength have all improved.

I’ve finally started to get a shape. I’ve gone from ‘fit’ to ‘big’ (or bigger at least). My wife has started to notice the changes to my physique, though she’d never admit it.

Convinced yet?

1. Lift Weights for Increased Metabolism

When you lift weights, you will gain muscle. This is true especially when you’re new to weight training. Your body will be super responsive to the new stimulus and you’ll pack on muscle in double quick time.

Sadly, this honeymoon period only lasts for a few months. But if you stick with the training and keep your diet under control, you can add 10-15 pounds of muscle in your first year of training.

What does this have to do with metabolism? Metabolism is:

All chemical reactions that occur in living organisms, including digestion and the transport of substances into and between different cells (Wikipedia).

Different body tissues have different levels of activity when it comes to metabolism. Muscle has lots of chemical reactions just to keep going.

Stored body fat? Not so much. It just sits there.

So, if you weigh 75 kilos and are 25% body fat you’re body will burn a lot less energy throughout the day than if you were the same weight but 15% body fat. Your metabolism would have increased because of the extra muscle you’re packing.

Now you burn more calories (and fat) just sitting around the house than you did when you were skinny-fat. You’ll also be able to eat more food without gaining body fat. So it’s one big win for metabolism.

2. Lift Weights to Become Stronger

“I don’t really like being stronger. I’m much happier being weak….”  – No One. Ever.

Seriously, who doesn’t want to get stronger? If you’re a Dad, increased strength is going to help you out a lot for things like:

  • Pushing your teenage daughter’s car when it breaks down
  • Carrying all of the holiday luggage. In one trip
  • Opening stubborn jars of jam
  • General awesomeness

Strength can be a by-product of lifting weights, particularly when you start out. Your strength will sky-rocket to begin with.

However it will start to tail off eventually and you’ll ‘plateau’. This is when you aren’t really making any improvements in strength. You then may have to train specifically to get stronger.

These days, I train almost primarily for strength. I’ve got a good programme that’s working for me. I’m also putting on muscle while keeping my weight constant. That’s known as a triple win. Along With exercise, supplements help in building muscles too. Supplements and medications from trusted pharmacies like https://www.90daymeds.com/ will help in achieving the goal sooner than you think. Hire a trainer who will guide you through your wellness journey and help you achieve your health goals.

3. Lift Weights to Be More than You Are

You really have two options:

  1. Do not lift weights and remain the skinny and weak person that can lift weights but doesn’t because you’re too lazy, unmotivated or pathetic. In one year you’ll be exactly who you are today, but one year older.
  2. Start lifting weights and become disciplined. In the process you lower your body fat, increase muscle size, sex drive and overall attractiveness. In one year, you’ll be older, but you’ll look and feel younger.

Self Improvement books sell like hot cakes. Titles like ‘The Chimp Paradox’ sold thousands of copies and topped the best seller’s lists in 2015.

But one of the easiest ways to improve is to train the body into a fitter, healthier, better version of what you are now.

It’s not easy – that’s why everyone would rather just buy a book. And read it on the train while they eat half a packet of chocolate biscuits.

For breakfast.

Choose not to be that Dad. Refuse to accept the Dad Bod and instead commit to real, lasting, physical self help.

4. Lift Weights for More Motivation

Wait? Lifting weights increases motivation? Yes, but not necessarily how you might think. Lifting weights will give you a greater sense of purpose and discipline (see point 3).

But what I’m talking about is increased testosterone.

Testosterone (or test for short) is the male sex hormone. And guess what? If you’re lifting weights and eating the right foods, your body secretes more of it.

More testosterone means more muscle, increased sex drive and lower body fat, particularly man boobs and back fat.

Will more test make you aggressive? In a word, no.

You would need to be enhancing testosterone chemically for that to be an issue. I’m talking about small increases in hormone levels due to lifestyle and diet changes.

If you feel aggression from weight training and better diet, you probably need therapy.

The benefits are like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the light at the end of the tunnel. Once you’ve experienced this you’ll never go back.

You’ll be more motivated because you always want to feel this way.

5. Lift Weights for Better Health

I used to think that I would lift weights for a few years and then quit and take up jogging or cycling instead.

I, like many people, though that lifting weights would ultimately lead to crippling injury and early death.

But the more I learn, the more I know this to be false. The only people who have crippling injury are the really unlucky or really stupid lifters. Everyone else can carry on indefinitely.

I recently went to a funeral. This guy had lifted weights beyond his ninetieth birthday! It was a part of his lifestyle, something he always did. Like brushing his teeth or taking a shower.

I’d be an idiot to to think I’ll always lift heavy and train for strength. But I do intend on lifting as long as physically able.

The benefits easily outweigh any risks:

  • Increased bone density
  • Better hormone balance
  • Improved flexibility and endurance
  • Better cardiovascular health and fitness

This year, I’ll be 32 years old. I am fitter, healthier and have more muscle than when I was 22. By a long way. And I intend on keeping going.

this dad does lifting weights.jpg

Closing Thoughts

I was probably one of the most reluctant gym users at the start. But the changes to my body and life in general were too much to ignore.

In the gym, I’m able to shut out problems and focus on the task at hand. I always leave feeling calmer and glad I trained:

The feeling of being strong, powerful and ‘together’ cannot be valued.

Hopefully I’ve convinced you that you should take up weight training. Or if you’ve been away for a while, that you should start again soon. If you do, let me know how you get on.

Neil

P.S. You know what won’t give you more muscle? My emails. They’re still worth signing up for though.

About Neil M White

Neil has been writing for a number of years. He has worked as a freelance writer both in the UK and internationally and has worked on a number of high profile media projects. Neil spends his spare time hiking, in the gym or hanging out with his family.

5 comments add your comment

  1. Another great post Neil. I started weights again after a long lay off, in large part due to reading your blog. Am now into 2nd month of low fat diet. Still the odd glass of wine but mainly staying the course and starting to see/ feel the benefits. Had a lunch box of salad and tuna (no mayo) for lunch today and still cant quite believe I made it through to dinner time without biscuits, a cake, cheese etc. Dont get me wrong I still miss these things a lot but there is a clear trade off now that is starting to feel like its in my favour. Thanks for sharing mate, T

    • Tom, thanks so much for your post and well done for sticking to your diet. I always find the first few weeks the hardest as your body goes through junk food withdrawal. Your salad sounds great. Higher protein is definitely more satisfying. I’m glad that the site has inspired you to do weight training again. I’ve got more on healthy eating/diet coming soon.

  2. Couldn’t have put it better myself. Great post Neil.

    As you already know, weightlifting was the game-changer for me—the catalyst that sparked my entire personal development transformation. I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. Crazy what building ONE habit will do for your life.

    To all gym-goers: keep at it! Take comfort in the fact that 99% of people will give up this month in the gym. Be the 1% who makes it.

    • Ben, thanks for your comment. It’s great that weight training has been such a changing force in your own life. It has also been a mainstay for me and in my growing personal discipline and path to self improvement. My home gym is already deserted, which is great for us ‘one-percenters’.

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