7 reasons to do weightlifting

What is weightlifting

Weightlifting is an Olympic sport that includes only two competitive movements: snatch and clean and jerk. In a snatch, the bar is moved from the floor to an overhead position in a single motion.

The push consists of two movements: taking on the chest and a scissor pull or low sitting.

Many people confuse weightlifting with powerlifting. Despite the fact that both of these sports involve working with a heavy barbell, they are fundamentally different from each other.

Competitive powerlifting movements include the deadlift, bench press, and back squat. This sport trains maximum strength.

Weightlifting, on the other hand, focuses on speed-strength qualities, trains not only the ability of muscles to produce strength, but also to do it as quickly and accurately as possible.

Why you should do weightlifting

1. You will harmoniously develop your body muscles

The snatch and clean and jerk involves the muscles of the legs and back, abs, arms and shoulders. If some muscles lag behind, you will not be able to perform the movement technically and take a lot of weight.

For example, weak extensor muscles back will not allow you to make a good break, a weak mid-back - stand with a barbell on your chest during the take. Without a strong trapezoid, you won't be able to complete the final phase of the lift, and strong shoulders are essential to keep the bar overhead.

In order to develop all the necessary muscles, many different strength movements are performed during training: deadlift, squats with a barbell on the back, on the chest, with a barbell overhead, presses and shvungs that evenly pump body.

And, of course, it is impossible to do weightlifting and have weak leg muscles: they participate in all phases of movement and are pumpedOlympic weightlifting first of all.

2. You will have a great figure

Weightlifting improves body composition: increasesOlympic weightlifting the amount of lean muscle mass and reduce the percentage of fat. Constant exercise also increases plasma testosterone levels, which helps build muscle and burn fat.

This sport does not involve mountains of muscle. On the contrary, with impressive strengths, many weightlifters are lean and lean. Of course, there are also athletes with a high percentage of fat, but, as a rule, they specifically gain it in order to get into the desired weight category.

If you don't have a positive balance calories, weightlifting will help you get rid of extra pounds and increase muscle mass.

3. Your speed and power will increase

In weightlifting, you need to not only apply force, but also do it as quickly as possible. Moving slowly, you will not be able to make a good detonation and will not have time to dive under the barbell while it is in flight.

Therefore, weightlifting will develop not only strength, but also power - the ability to apply maximum strength in a minimum amount of time. And this will be noticeable not only on the platform, but also in other types of activity.

You will run faster and jump higher, your muscles will begin to respond more quickly to signals from the brain and include just as many muscle fibers as needed to complete the task.

4. Your body will become flexible

The snatch and jerk require good flexibility. To understand how important this is, it is enough to pick up a stick with a wide grip, raise it above your head and sink into the lowest possible seat, while keeping your lower back straight.

Lack of mobility of the ankle and hip joint will not let you sink low enough, which means, and take a lot of weight. Strong shoulders will not allow you to take the barbell behind your head - to a position where it is as stable as possible. A stiff back will not allow you to bend properly at the start to get into the correct position.

Weightlifting workouts may include additional stretching exercises, but without them, you will develop joint and spine mobility over time.

5. You will become better at other sports

Combination of strength, speed, power, good coordination and mobility will make your body versatile. You will be able to achieve more in any sport for which these qualities are important.

Due to the pumped neuromuscular connection, you will quickly master any movement, whether it be strength exercises or gymnastic elements.

6. Reduce the risk of injury in everyday life

First, weightlifting teaches you how to properly lift weights, sit down and stand up. By learning how to do deadlifts, you do not injure your back by lifting a weighty bag from the floor or moving furniture.

Secondly, good coordination and joint stability will prevent you from losing balance if you slip in the bathroom or on ice.

In addition, like any strength training, weightlifting strengthens not only muscles but also bones. The pressure increases bone density, which reduces the risk of fractures and fractures.

7. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

Several months of weightlifting will lower blood pressure and resting heart rate and increase maximum oxygen consumptionOlympic weightlifting - the main indicator of the aerobic capacity of the body.

Such changes have always been considered a prerogative cardio exercise - long-term activity at a low pulse, but it turns out that you can get them when working with a barbell.

By pumping the cardiovascular system, you reduce the risk of heart and vascular diseases and do many everyday activities like cycling, climbing stairs or outdoor activities are much easier and nicer.

What it takes to do weightlifting

First of all, you need a trainer and a gym with a weightlifting platform on which to throw the barbell. Of course, you can try to learn without a coach, but this is highly undesirable for two reasons:

1. You can get used to doing it wrong. For example, many beginners grab the barbell after detonating, which prevents it from flying and complicates the task, or knocks the bar with their hips, disrupting the optimal flight path. When your progress stops, you still have to contact the coach and set the technique. So it's best to do it right away, before you internalize the wrong movement patterns.
2. You can be injured, moreover, seriously. The explosive nature of weightlifting involves fast movements in which the bar is raised overhead. The coach will follow your technique, explain why the bar isn't flying where you want it to go, and won't let you hang a lot if you're not ready for it. This will save you from dropping the barbell on your neck, broken wrist, hernias in the spine and torn muscle fibers.

And remember, it's never too late to start. Yes, by taking up weightlifting at 30, 40 or 50, you won't make the Olympic team, but you can. reach the master of sports, and at the same time become strong, flexible and agile, get an excellent figure and improve health.