Some of you many think that weightlifting is just to bulk up muscle. However, this is not true. When weight training or strength training is performed consistently and correctly, you can actually cause a boost in your metabolism and energy. If you are looking to invest time into any weight program it is important to understand what your metabolism is first in order to understand and find ways to increase it.
Metabolism is the rate your body processes the food you intake. Essentially food is the fuel your body needs to function. The challenge that many beginning and advanced weight training and strength training gym members find is knowing the correct balance of nutrition.
At Omaha Barbell, the # 1 Gym in Omaha, we are always attempting to help our members achieve their goals and determine why performing one style of weightlifting is beneficial to another. While we can not tell you specifically what type of foods to consume how often, we can give you some information to help you understand how lifting heavy weights can help you when compared to cardio or a minimal fitness program.
Determine the best weight lifting program for you
Several people who are looking to join a gym automatically start with cardio. This is not always a bad thing; however, if you did weight training instead you wouldn’t have to work as hard or as often. With our restricted schedules and busy lives who doesn’t love that?! It gives you more time for other things. If you find this hard to believe, think about any athlete, woman or man–they are in great shape and have a faster metabolism. This is because they have more muscle. Omaha Barbell knows that the more muscle, the more calories burned. Strength training burns more calories while you’re working out, and those effects remain long after you workout is done, even when you’re lounging at home!
An interesting fact about strength training is it is actually breaking down the muscle during exercise, but the body builds more muscle to balance out the effect. Rebuilding this new muscle take a lot of energy and using energy always burns calories. This is the effect of the “WIN, WIN” theory! Essentially you are working smarter, not harder, and getting stronger by the minute.
Why cardio is not always the best fitness plan
Many think cardio is the only way to burn calories. While cardio does burn calories, it’s only effective while you’re working out, whereas with strength training you continue to burn more calories hours and even days after your workout. Another fact to consider is if you do too much cardio everyday it can lead to hypothyroidism (the thyroid gland stops producing the right amount of thyroid hormones, which can lead to excess fat in the body). So when working out it is important to be careful and treat your body right. Weight training will take some getting used to and you’ll be sore for a week or so, but after that your body will heal and feel great!
At Omaha Barbell, we live for strength training and we would love to help you get started today. We are called the #1 Omaha Gym for a reason. Call us today at (402) 594-4485 or come by and find out why!
