Are Your Weights Too Light?
By Sara Butler
Strength training is a very important aspect of physical fitness. But if you feel as if you’re not getting anywhere with your strength routine, then there may be a very simple reason why: Your weights are too light. Progression is an important aspect of any strength training program. If you’re stuck in a rut, then find out if your weights are too light with these four signs!
Sign No. 1: The Current Weight Isn’t Challenging
When you’re lifting weights, you should feel like you’re being challenged. The whole point of a strength training program is to overload your muscles and push them to get stronger. If you’re lifting at a weight that doesn’t feel challenging to you as you’re doing it, then that’s a pretty good indication that it’s time to up the resistance in your routine.
Sign No. 2: You Feel like You Can Keep Going
If you are at the end of your strength routine and feel as if you could keep going all day, then the weight isn’t challenging enough for you. Each exercise you do should cause your muscles to feel fatigued. You should be pushing yourself to feel as if you can’t do more reps with good form. So, if it feels too easy, then it probably is. Take it up a notch and you’ll get the results you want.
Sign No. 3 You’ve Never Increased Resistance
If you’ve been lifting weights for a while and have never added more weight, then it’s time to. You must make sure you continue to progress so you can get the most out of your strength training workouts. That means as you get stronger, you add more weight over time.
Sign No. 4: You’re Not Progressing
If you don’t make your muscles work harder than they’re used to, then you simply won’t get any stronger. Remember, your muscles will grow to meet the demands you place on them. Constantly challenging them with more weight and resistance will help you to progress and become stronger. If you offer the same workload, then you’re not going to meet your fitness goals and go where you want to with your training program.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs here, then you need to push yourself more during your workouts. Increase resistance in a safe and effective way to ensure you’re pushing yourself. Remember not to increase your weight by any more than 10 percent at a time. You want to reach those goals injury-free!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.