Hey Team,
There’s nothing better than getting in a good lift. I have no doubt that most of you can attest. When I picked up a barbell 15 years ago I was instantaneously introduced to a confidence I had never before experienced. And it didn’t stop at the bar.
Slinging kettlebells, pressing dumbbells and even getting in a good cable session not only leaves my body feeling in alignment structurally, but declutters my not-so-focused mind I walked into the gym with.
Strength training isn’t just for muscle gain. Sure, that’s one rewarding outcome, but the wonders it can do for your mental and emotional health can arguably be just as or more important than the physical.
Here are three life lessons you can learn through strength training:
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Stand back up when things get hard: A bit on the nose, I know, but hey, it’s true. When you’ve got a heavy bar on your back in the rack and your a** is to the grass, what’s the one thing on your mind? STANDING UP. Ah, the parallel to life. It’s much easier to feel sorry for ourselves when we’re sitting on the couch seven episodes deep into the latest binged show. But when you’re under that bar, every cell in your body is working to simply stand up a few inches higher. Take that mindset and apply it to adversity, big or small. Over time, it’ll become a habit.
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Focus on competing with yourself, and only yourself: Sure, we’d all be lying if we said we’ve never looked at the person next to us only to realize they’re lifting more, then throw on that extra 2.5 lb plate because, well, we can. The moment you really start to master the art of lifting is when you’re solely focused on beating past versions of yourself. I have my programming on a spreadsheet that dates back to 2016 and I feel infinitely more proud looking at that progress rather than glorifying how much weight Susie did on the rack next to mine this morning. Don’t focus on where they are in their career, relationship, or fitness journey. Rewire your brain to measure success in your own personal terms.
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Continue towards a path of progression: Some of the best days in the gym are when you pick up your “usual” weight and the first few reps feel light as paper. Yup, you know the feeling, head to the rack with that big grin of yours and grab the next size up. Maybe jump TWO sizes up if you’re feeling spicy. Take that feeling, bottle it up and carry it around for the rest of your day. Strive to be on the hunt for human improvement in all facets of life. You only get one chance at this thing, why not mold yourself into the best possible version of you? Keep pushing.
Ultimately strength training can provide a journey of soul searching solitude that others may find in different realms of life. Whether yours takes place in the weight room, board room or climbing to the top of a mountain, the sentiment is the same, water your own grass before wondering how much greener your neighbors’ is.
While you’re here, check out a few of my favorite strength accessories to start or continue your journey to strength:
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Living.Fit Dumbbell Set: Pairs from 5lbs to 100lbs: Cover your bases to get in a full body workout.
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Epic Fitness Chrome Barbell: Ready to level up? Don’t rely on the gym to get your heaviest work done. Holds up to 1500 pounds and comes with spring clamps.
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Epic Fitness Bumper Plates from 10lb pairs to 55lb pairs: You’re going to need something to stack onto your new bar 😉
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Epic Fitness Weighted Wall Ball, available in six different weights. PSA: Not just for CrossFit! Great tool to add in for core work, explosive agilities, and central nervous system prep through slams.
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Pro-Tech Athletics Resistance Bands: Don’t sleep on these. Most of what you’re doing is likely working the major muscle groups. Get granular and work smaller, stabilizing muscles through your movement prep and accessory band work.
Happy lifting.
Until next week. 👋
Danielle Bitts
VP of Brand, Bodybuilding.com
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