Are You Lifting Enough Weight?

We've wrote before about the importance of strength exercises when it comes to losing weight, getting toned and maintaining a healthy body. Strength and fitness training provides fantastic results through a higher metabolism and more toned muscles, but some people do not push themselves hard enough when it comes to lifting. If you find yourself lifting weights at the gym or at home and you are barely breaking a sweat, you are not doing it correctly. When you lift weights, you should feel a lot of strain on your muscles, otherwise there is no point.

Weight lifting should be difficult but not impossible. You should be pushing your muscles close to the point where they can't lift another ounce. In order to do this with free weights, it's often necessary to get a spotter. A spotter is just someone who can monitor your sets and help you out if you are unable to complete a certain lift. If you don't have a friend with you during your workouts, most people at the gym would be happy to help spot in exchange for your help. If there is simply no one available, it's best to just use strength machines in order to stay safe.

The first time you lift the proper amount will inevitably lead to sore muscles. This is the result of a true strength building workout that involves the tearing of muscles so that they can be built bigger in the body's repair process. Don't worry, this is a good sign, and it's not something that will continue through your future workouts. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of protein after a workout to make sure that your body rebuilds the muscles to the best of its ability.