Lifting Weights Doesn't Only Make You Strong

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I’ll say it plain and simple: you should be lifting weights. But not necessarily for the reasons that you might think.

For example, I don’t believe that strength is the main benefit of weight training.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love being strong as much as the next person, but there is more value in weight training than simply gaining muscle or losing fat.

When I think back on the time I’ve spent training (around 20 years now), here are the most valuable benefits I’ve discovered…

1. Pushing Yourself Physically Reveals What You’re Made of Mentally

I just listened to a great talk about the value of sports vs. reading in life. Have you learned more from pushing yourself physically or mentally?

There were many great answers, but I particularly liked this one:

“Not sure which — there’s tremendous value in each. Mental teaches you about others, physical teaches you about yourself.”

This listener explained what I hadn’t quite been able to put my finger on: there is an incredible amount to be learned from both reading and playing sports, but you’ll learn more about yourself when you push yourself physically.

My experiences have mirrored this. While I’ve learned a great deal about myself from mental pursuits like writing and running a business, I’ve discovered far more about my mental strength and my ability to overcome failure from:

• Racing a bike for 7 years

• Competing in swimming

• Battling to achieve certain strength goals

Challenging your body is the greatest method for discovering the strength of your mind. Nowhere is this truer than with strength training.

There will be days when you don’t feel like coming into the gym. There will be sets that you don’t feel like finishing. There will be times when everyone else in the gym will see you fail.

And if you keep showing up anyway, you’ll develop:

• Mental fortitude to get past failure

• Discipline to work when you don’t feel like it

• Awareness of what you’re truly capable of — mentally and physically

  
  

2. Weightlifting Solidifies Your Sense of Self–Worth

Here’s one thing I’ve learned from my years at the gym: it doesn’t matter how much weight I can or can’t lift — I can grow, build up strength, and do whatever’s necessary. The gym has helped me understand how strong I can be.

There’s confidence that comes with that — wisdom enough to know when it’s too much weight, confidence enough to know what I can do.

“Today’s fluctuating sense of worth, whether man or woman, is dangerous stuff. Confidence changes the kinds of thoughts you have.” — Chase Reeves

There is nothing more personal than your own body. Having confidence that you can move yourself through physical space with control and competence is a deeply satisfying feeling that filters into every other area of life.

If you set a new personal record in the gym this morning, you can be sure you’ll be feeling more confident at work this afternoon.

But weightlifting goes deeper than that:

• It gives you something to define yourself by

• It forces you to be honest about what you can and can’t do

• It provides clarity in a world full of grey areas

Even if you’re weaker than you thought, there’s satisfaction in knowing where you stand. Most days in life, it’s hard to measure progress — but in the gym, improvement is black and white.

Combine this clarity with gradual improvement and your sense of self–worth will skyrocket.

“I lifted 10 pounds more today than I did last week. I can become better. This is proof.”

Sometimes, this undeniable proof can do more for your confidence than all the positive thoughts in the world.

3. Strength Gives You More Opportunities to Contribute to Life

After spending more than 10 years analyzing the top regrets of dying patients, nurse Bronnie Ware said:

“Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.”

I believe this freedom — the ability to explore, create, connect, and contribute — is one of the greatest benefits of weight training.

What I’ve gained from weightlifting — resistance to illness and injury, confidence in my abilities, and awareness of my limitations — has positioned me to make a bigger impact and contribute more value than I could before training.

In my case, that means:

• Writing about health and wellness

• Running a gym that keeps dozens of clients out of hospitals and old age homes

  
  

Weight training enables you to transform into a better version of yourself — more confident, self–aware, and mentally and physically strong — so you can become a better person for the people around you.

Our community is filled with people who challenge themselves physically and are excited to help others at the same time. Imagine if you spent your entire day surrounded by people like that — what would your world look like?

Get the Benefits of Weight Training

If you’re already a weightlifter, keep at it. If you’re not, get started.

You are on this planet to do amazing things, and lifting weights can help you do those things better.

Happy and healthy people have a better chance to live with confidence and contribute value to the world than anyone else. Don’t take that for granted.

Want support with this? Contact us at Beyond Fitness and let us help you build your system.