Six Reason to Lift Heavy

1. Build muscle

Muscle is cool because it promotes good physiological responses in your body, like better hormone production. Not to mention, it allows you to be strong, confident and independent.

2. Get strong

Strength is more about adaptations to your nervous system than your muscles. Through training, your nervous system will adapt to the load and you’ll get stronger. You’ll also improve your movement quality as your nervous system develops efficiency in sending signals, you’ll become more stable and in better control, and therefore, once again, stronger.

3. The original core exercise

Managing difficult weights requires good bracing. All your torso muscles work to stabilize your spine as you squat. Initially difficult, once this skill is developed, it will drastically improve understanding of force production.

4. It’s hard

Effort expends energy. It burns calories and makes you sleep better.

5. Bone Density

You need to load your skeleton to promote bone growth. This is crucial as you age, and equally important if you’re not old yet. Lay the foundation for strong bones now in your 20s and 30s so you’re not playing catch up in your 60s.

6. Mobility

If you don't lift, there's a chance you never take your ankles, knees, hips and shoulders through a complete range of motion. The gym gives us exposure to these positions, and lifting with a challenging load helps the body get into range of motion you otherwise wouldn't be able to. Over time, your range of motion will improve and your joints will be happy.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain