Chiropractic Works for Anyone in the Weight Room

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By Genevieve Cunningham

Strong is the new skinny. Long gone is the once sought after physique of supermodel thin. In today’s world, it’s all about muscles. Fortunately, the American fitness world has embraced strength and overall health above the super skinny ideals of the past. But is the pursuit of muscles over weight loss actually any healthier? Or is it just another extreme?

Choosing strength can be a huge, healthy change to your fitness routine, but it comes with its own health risks. If you’re serious about looking and feeling your best, understanding those risks and their solutions is a crucial first step.

The Difference Between Weightlifters, Bodybuilders, and Fitness Models?

If you’re just getting into weightlifting, you may be inspired by people you see on the internet. So many weightlifters, bodybuilders, and fitness models have developed a popular online presence. With sources like Instagram and TikTok, sculpted bodies seem to be everywhere we turn. But when you’re looking through a screen, it can be hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. It can even be difficult to distinguish one kind of fitness guru from another -- and yes, they’re definitely different.

Weightlifters

Technically, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a weightlifter is a person who lifts barbells in competition or in exercise. Weightlifters strive for strength. They’re not generally worried about looking perfect or keeping the perfect body fat percentage. They want to be strong. Although increasing muscle mass is often a main goal, they may also be concerned with optimal muscle function. Weightlifters may come in all shapes and sizes and with different end goals. But they’ll each hit the gym with one common goal in mind – to lift heavy objects and gain long-term strength. For our purposes, bodybuilders and fitness competitors and models will also be considered weightlifters.

Bodybuilders

For many people, the thought of lifting weights triggers thoughts of bodybuilders. Arnold Schwarzennegger-esque pictures float through their minds. They think of huge bulging muscles, nonexistent body fat, fake tans for days, and raw eggs for breakfast a la Rocky Balboa. Bodybuilders attempt to push their bodies to the limits. They’re trying to build large muscle mass and tone to the extreme. At times, bodybuilders can certainly give off Lou Ferrigno vibes. Huge. Masculine. Intimidating. But during off season, or times when competition isn’t near, bodybuilders simply focus on muscle development. The good news is that you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to enjoy lifting weights. You can lift – and love it – without trying to become Mr. Universe.

Fitness Models

Most online dictionaries define a fitness model as a person with a good physique who is paid to endorse clothing, equipment, or to demonstrate exercises. Fitness models are rampant on social media. Although they obviously work out and keep a fit and tidy appearance, their goal is not necessarily about health. It’s about image. By maintaining the right image, they can form partnerships and business opportunities that show off the product as well as the fitness model’s physique.

Regular Joes and Josettes

If you’re not interested in competitions, photo shoots, or brand partnerships, you can simply lift weights for the health benefits and the joy of it. You don’t have to set certain body goals or aim for a particular aesthetic. You can choose to join the most common group of weightlifters -- the regular people. Most people who lift weights are doing it to look and feel healthier. They don’t have bodybuilder or model ambitions. This group of lifters still gains the benefits, and it’s the group where most people stay their entire lives.

Which of these definitions is right for you? This depends entirely on your goals.

Even if you don’t strive to leave the “regular people” weightlifting group, you may look to these online options for guidance. Which of these gurus is the right one to follow for advice? Probably none of them. Although you can look and be inspired and maybe even grab a few tips, real advice should probably come from a trained and certified personal trainer or your healthcare professional.

How Safe are Steroids and Supplements?

The world of weightlifting will likely open up an entirely new world of eating habits and supplements. Lifting -- especially if we choose to lift heavy -- requires an increase of protein and calories for most people. Along with altering the foods that you eat, you may also be interested in adding supplements. Some of the most common supplements that weightlifters add to their routine include:

• Protein powder - Many weightlifters turn to protein powder to help them gain muscle.
• Vitamin D - Many people are lacking in this important vitamin. This vitamin helps with bone strength and muscle function -- two important factors for weightlifters.
• Magnesium - Magnesium helps with regulation of muscles and nerves.

If you’re considering taking supplements, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor. They may give you the green light, or they may want to do bloodwork to determine what’s best for you. A healthcare professional is always your best option for moving your health in the right direction.

What About Steroids?

Some lifters -- which includes people from every category mentioned above – turn to steroids to build muscles. Most people have heard of steroids, but you may or may not know anyone who actually uses them. Are they safe? Are they effective? What are steroids, exactly? Understanding the facts about steroids will allow you to make an educated decision about their place in your life.

• What are steroids? - There are different kinds of steroids. Some, like corticosteroids, can be used to treat inflammation. Anabolic steroids, the type of steroids seen in the fitness world, are man-made versions of hormones.
• Are they effective? - Steroids are effective at building muscle and body mass because it acts like a natural hormone, testosterone. But just because they’re technically effective, it doesn’t mean they are the best choice.
• Are they safe? - Most doctors agree that steroids come with too many risks to be considered safe. This is why anabolic steroids are not allowed to be used unless prescribed and under the direction of your doctor.

Some people use steroids and suffer very little from the side effects, but that’s not the norm. The current estimation is that about 3 million people in the United States use steroids. Regular steroid users are more likely to suffer from:

• Early heart attack or stroke
• Liver problems
• Kidney failure
• Severe acne
• Hair loss
• Infertility

The pursuit of a muscular body is fine, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your health and wellness. Stick to safe supplements, and don’t touch steroids without specific guidance from your doctor.

Are Weightlifters Prone to Particular injuries?

Even if you stay away from steroids, lifting weights still comes with risk. Lifters are typically prone to musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, dislocations, disc herniations, and tears to the ligaments of the knee. To prevent (and sometimes treat) these types of injuries, weightlifters may use some of the following techniques and resources.

• Proper form - To prevent injury, weightlifters should always focus on form over adding more weight. Avoiding injuries requires special focus on good form.
• Balance - If you lift and only lift as your workout routine, you’re actually more likely to injure yourself. The body likes balance, especially when it comes to fitness. Try to balance your workouts with cardio, strength training, and flexibility.
• Rest - It’s tempting to continually push your body until you see the results you want. In the long run, this only increases the risk for injury and prolongs results. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest and recovery time.
• Regular checkups - These aren’t only for kids. All people need regular checkups, usually yearly, to maintain their health.
• Chiropractic care - Chiropractic care can help keep the body and joints healthy. It can be a good option for both prevention and recovery in the life of all people who lift.

How Can Chiropractors Help Weightlifters?

Because weightlifting can be so good for our body and overall health, we don’t want to miss it. Regular chiropractic care may help us stay in the gym by keeping the spine in optimal health. Some of the ways in which it can help us stay healthy and pain-free include:

• By easing pain caused by strained ligaments or muscles
• By reducing the overall strain on the lower back
• By reducing any “misalignments” or restrictions along the spine
• By helping with general pain relief

For anyone who lifts on a regular basis, chiropractic adjustments are a great way to help your body maintain health and avoid injury.

Can Chiropractic Help Anyone Who Goes to the Gym?

Although chiropractic care is great for weightlifters, it can actually be beneficial for anyone who visits the gym -- and lots of other people, too! For those who participate in regular exercise, chiropractic care may help with pain, soreness, injury recovery, flexibility, and more.

In the most ideal circumstances, chiropractic visits are regular. They’re a part of both prevention and treatment. When we use chiropractic care in this way, we’re more likely to gain the benefits that can help us stay in the gym and healthier than ever.

Should you lift weights? It’s definitely a good idea if you want to improve your health and fitness. Weights work. Cardio works. Chiropractic care works. And when we put them all together? We get a solid and effective routine for living strong, living healthy, and living our very best lives yet.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.