Often I get get asked why I always recommend weight-training to my clients, whatever their personal goals may be. The answer is that it is beneficial for everyone and anyone, for two main reasons:
1 Makes you stronger and more resilient: Weight-training acts as an enabler for other forms of exercise. If you like walking, running or tennis, or you just want to ensure that you’re an active parent to your kids, having stronger muscles makes your joints more robust. And this, in turn, allows you to participate in more dynamic and fun activities outside the gym, while also limiting your chance of developing an injury.
I’m sure we have all heard of someone who hurt themselves playing football with the kids in the garden. Basically, being stronger will lessen the chance of that happening.
For anyone who likes endurance-based activities, such as running or cycling, adding a balanced weights program not only helps develop your overall strength beyond all the hours of training and competition, but it can also enhance the efficiency of your movements. This may help your performance in whatever sport you are competing in.
2 You look more toned: The goal that so many people mention when discussing their motivation to train consistently is; “I don’t want to build muscle; I just want to be more toned”. Sound familiar? The truth is, you cannot look toned unless you build muscle, and it is very challenging to build muscle without doing some sort of resistance training.
Once you have lost enough body fat, you will begin to see the muscle you’ve been working on. Loss of body fat alone won’t give that toned physique. Only when fat loss is combined with building muscle through weight-training will you achieve the toned look.
And don’t worry! You will absolutely not bulk up if you add a weight training routine as part of your weekly programme, unless you are over-eating.
So, if you think that using the weights room does not align with your goals and that it’s just a place for the bodybuilders and weightlifters, I’m here to tell you that it definitely works with any fitness goals, whatever they may be.