If you believe that lifting heavy is the only way to see benefits…
Think again.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t lift heavy, you should, by working up to it with lighter weights – and this coming from someone who believes in lifting heavy.
Earning the ability to lift a lot of tonnage has been the number one investment in my life that I’ve ever made … monetarily included.
The more I lift, the more I make $$$ wise, not the other way around, so the correlation is not lost on me.
Now, if you’re on the fence about lifting weights, according to a new study, you can see the same benefits and changes in your body, by lifting lighter weights.
Although light weights are associated with building endurance—and not so much strength—there are plenty of reasons why lifting lighter weights will help you build the confidence to go heavier later.
Here are some powerful benefits you may see opting for a lighter weight:
1. Better Strength and Endurance
Look, lifting 100lbs one time and 10lbs 10 times, is still lifting 100lbs overall.
When you break it up into lighter weights your muscles get to have more ‘time under tension’, which is essential to building bone density and lean muscle.
Although it may take a little bit longer to fatigue using lighter weights…the effort could lead to greater strength, muscle endurance, and muscle growth.
2. Better Range of Motion
The amount of movement around a specific joint or body part—often called range-of-motion–is very important for building stronger, more defined muscles.
Only lifting heavy weights may shorten your range-of-motion and reduce the amount of strength you can expect to see.
However, using lighter weights may improve your flexibility, therefore allowing the muscle to move through the entire range-of-motion easier, giving you the balance you need.
3. Risk for Injury Decreases
Lifting heavy may increase your risk for injury—since you’re placing a heavier load on smaller muscles and connective tissue that may not be ready for it.
The risk for injury decreases using lighter weights—thanks, in part, to better form and lifting techniques…
…and not using supporting muscles (back, legs, shoulders), to lift the weights.
4. Everyday Tasks Become Easier
Lifting lighter weights may make it easier to do everyday tasks.
Since light weights focuses more on building endurance, you may find it easier to carry in groceries, garden, walking and running, hiking, or even just playing with your kids.
Although most people believe lifting heavy weights is the only way to build stronger muscles, it’s only one tool in the weight lifting tool box.
I love lifting heavy and heavy season is coming up for me, however, I’ve spent the last few months stretching more, doing lighter weights, or bodyweight, and prepping for this – I don’t lift heavy all year, and neither should you.
Find a blend of bodyweight, lighter weights and heavier weights that works for you and if you’re not sure where to start or you’ve only been lifting lighter and you’re ready for something different, please reply to this below and we’ll set up a call to get you on track!
Be Well – John
Changing the way Life is done.
Mindset. Fitness. Nutrition.
P.S. Here are 4 more ways you can become happier and healthier:
1. At-Home Workout Program
We created a 3 tiered entry-level program for those who want/need to stay at home to workout, and you can access it for FREE.
There is NO EQUIPMENT needed, only an open mind and doing the work!
You can get it now: CLICK HERE
2. Online Coaching Program
We’ve created an Online Program to fit all budgets.
Everything from On-Demand Videos, to LIVE Streaming Classes, Accountability Coaching Calls and more!
If that sound interesting, you can find out all the details now: CLICK HERE
3. Join our BADASS Community on Facebook
We want to work with and be around as many BADASS people as possible. Folks who might forget how BADASS they are and just need the space to remember.
So, we started a FREE group on Facebook called BADASS, which is our own private community where we go deeper into what we do at Bair Knuckle Strength.
The truth is, it makes the world a happier, safer, more enjoyable place when you love your BADASS self.
If you’re ready to see what we do, just CLICK HERE!
4. Rise
Rise is the story of ‘never feeling powerful … to … never feeling powerless’. It’s about John Bair’s life, why he does what he does and how his suffering created happiness.
This handwritten book takes you through an intimate, yet, self-revealing journey, which allows you to implant yourself into the story, as it relates to your own, and reveal the steps you’ll need to take, in order to make change a successful reality.
Available in DIGITAL, AUDIO, BOOK