Debunking Misconceptions About Weight Lifting

​There are a lot of pervasive misconceptions about weight lifting, which steers people away from doing it. Little did you know that weight lifting is a good form of strength training. As you read along, you’ll learn more about some of the most common myths about weight lifting.

What is Weight Lifting?
Weight lifting is a popular way to increase your overall health. By definition, weight lifting is the use of resistance to develop strength and mass. You can do weight training with free weights, dumbbells, or machines. The goals of weightlifting are to increase flexibility, strength, endurance, and promote muscle growth through hypertrophy. Gym equipment such as weight benches and equipment is designed to facilitate lifting weights for these purposes.

5 Biggest Weight Lifting Myths Busted
It's time to debunk myths and shed light on the awesome benefits of weight lifting.

1. Weight Lifting Is Only For Men
   False. Weight lifting is for everybody. Women also need to focus on strength training if they want to build muscle. If you're a woman, you might fear looking manly when you lift weights, but the truth is you cannot build muscles like the ones men have because you do not have enough male hormone profiles.
   
   
2. Lifting Weights Will Make You Bulky
   It's a myth. Lifting will not be enough for you to bulk up. Many people fear that they will gain lots of muscle mass if they lift weights. That's why meals matter, especially when doing strength training. You have to be careful with the percentage of calories you intake because the biggest factor in becoming bulky is nutrition.
   
   
3. Bad For The Joints
   Weight lifting is not harmful to your joints. It strengthens the muscles around your joints. According to a study published in The Journal of Rheumatology, patients in the strength training group who had symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee had a 43% mean reduction in pain. Weight lifting helps in building muscles that protect the joints. 
   
   
4. It Doesn't Burn Fat
   Wrong. Muscle mass helps in burning fat. Strength training will help you achieve your desired physique. The more muscle you gain, the more calories you'll burn. Through weight lifting, your resting metabolism will improve.
   
   
5. Weight Lifting Causes High Blood Pressure
   People suffering from hypertension have been told not to engage in weight lifting as it is believed to increase blood pressure. This statement is not true. Engaging in weight lifting can lower one's blood pressure and result in a healthier heart. 

The Bottomline
There are so many misconceptions and stereotypes about lifting weights. It might not look very safe, but it's how you view it. Lifting weights is not scary and isn't any more daunting than most people make it as long as you have a solid training foundation.

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