What is the difference between lifting heavy and lifting light

Use a weight that allows 15 reps in the beginning and increase the weight until reps is your max. Fitness author Rebecca Louise has helped millions "rediscover" fitness.

Celebrity trainer Kira Stokes shares these samples programs from her latest app. News The Complete Mr. Olympia Winners Gallery. Increased muscle mass elevates metabolism, which helps your body continue to burn calories long after your workout. Heavy lifting also strengthens bone density, which can reduce the risk of breaks and fractures as you age.

If you lift heavy, you test your mental strength as well. Lifting heavy increases production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the neurotransmitter related to producing new brain cells and improves cognitive function. Variance is key for optimal fitness. Although you may choose to lift light or heavy based on your goals and preferences, switching up your lifting routine and overall fitness regimen every once in awhile yields the greatest results.

Through a non-routine or rotating diverse routines, you can help prevent a plateau. Switch from light weights to heavy weights in the weight room or check out a fitness class that focuses on core and strength training. Yogis may even integrate weight training into their yoga practice using dumbbells as a full-body workout to sculpt muscles. Varying workouts and even adding in outdoor activities or sports may maximize your fitness, but it also keeps you motivated and challenged. If boredom begins to override motivation, your workouts and health suffer.

So, pick up a heavy barbell and light free weights, lift at low and high repetitions. Contact the Fitness Manager in a club near you to take advantage of this membership benefit and get moving toward reaching your goals! Thursday, March 18 PM. Low Reps with Heavier Weight The traditional method for building muscle mass, for both men and women alike, is to lift heavier weights and increase the amount of weight over time.

Or, Mix Things Up? Lifting heavy weights builds muscle, but constantly upping the weight exhausts the body. The nervous system must also adjust to the new fiber activation in the muscles. Lifting lighter weights with more reps gives the muscle tissue and nervous system a chance to recover while also building endurance.

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Aside from the aesthetic benefits, weight lifting offers innumerable health benefits, including a faster metabolism, increased bone density, better functioning in all of your daily tasks, injury prevention, and so much more.

It turns out that what type of weight you choose depends on your goals, the specific exercise you are performing, and personal preference. Naturally, bigger body parts and movements that require multiple joints, such as squats and deadlifts, will lift heavier weights with more ease than smaller body parts like your biceps and triceps.

To get to the bottom of the benefits of lifting light weights vs heavy weights and which is better suited for your personal fitness goals , we asked physical therapists Dr. Amy Schultz and Dr. Joscelyn Shumate Bourne.