The benefits of LIFTING WEIGHTS

Weightlifting, should we be doing it? Is it bad for us? Can it have positive effects on mental and physical health?

Lately, I have had many questions, both professionally and personally regarding the pros and cons of weightlifting.

Weightlifting is the term used to describe exercises that involve muscles working against resistance.

It has many benefits both mental and physical.

Primarily, weight training can have positive effects on bone density. These positive effects, as well as those upon the muscle-tendon complex have been highlighted in many different studies.

Put simply, strengthen the muscles, and bones.

Similarly, there have been multiple links between weight training and the decreased prevalence of lower-back pain.

This is an area, both professionally and personally that is close to my heart.

I weight train multiple times a week, often lifting three times my body weight and my back, and mind have never felt stronger.

Correspondingly, there is also significant evidence supporting strength trainings association with a decline in anxiety, pain intensity, self-esteem, sleep problems, depression and improvements in cognition among older adults, symptoms of fibromyalgia this list goes on.

Being an avid weightlifter, my standpoint is perhaps slightly biased: yet, I cannot deny the anecdotal and scientific evidence favouring the positive effects weightlifting can have upon health.

Despite this evidence, weightlifting is still unrightfully laden with stigma and opposition.

Why is this?

Do we, as a society, as health professionals need to change our advice we are giving?

I feel there is a trend of thinking which supports the idea that weight training will worsen the symptoms of lower back pain and that the back isn’t strong enough to lift. However, I am yet to see any real evidence to support this.

In saying this, weightlifting, like any sport requires practice and technique perfection. While the list in support of weightlifting is long, on some occasions damage can be done to the body if not performed correctly.

Hence, to anyone who is intending to weightlift, invest in some quality personal training sessions and perfect the technique.

Dr Yolanda Fisher is an osteopath at The Health Creation Centre Ocean Grove.