Benefits Of Powerlifting For Your Overall Health
Any form of exercise or physical activity is bound to provide some health benefits.
The world has seen different kinds of exercise trends and sports throughout the years, but powerlifting is one of those sports that offers many benefits for overall health.
What’s Powerlifting?
When we hear about powerlifting, one of the images that comes to mind is sweaty, muscular men grunting while lifting heavy pieces of metal. However, the sport is now enjoyed by people from different age groups and sexual orientations. It’s now common to see women partake in powerlifting tournaments – proof that it’s no longer a male-dominated sport.
Powerlifting is a form of strength and weight training where participants are given three attempts in three lifts: bench press, deadlift, and squat. The main difference between powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting is that the former uses slower movements and fewer reps. Olympic weightlifting involves technical movements that require mobility, power, and speed. Do remember that you should only perform powerlifting moves with a licensed and experienced trainer since doing it incorrectly may result in injuries.
Beginner powerlifters should focus on developing their strength with the help of their trainer. If you think powerlifting is all about lifting heavy things, think again. Powerlifting requires strength and endurance. Most of all, you need patience and determination to reach your goals.
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Powerlifting and Its Health Benefits
If you’re looking to supplement your cardio workout with strength training exercises, you should consider adding powerlifting to your routine.
Powerlifting provides the following benefits to your health:
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Reduced Body Fat
Good news to those who want to trim body fat and have a leaner physique – powerlifting may be just what you need. Weight and strength training exercises help build muscles, which in turn helps you burn more calories.
So, if you’re wondering why you’re not losing excess pounds even if you perform cardio every day, it means you need to build muscle. One of the best ways to make lean muscle tissue is to supplement your daily exercise regimen with powerlifting and other strength training exercises.
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Increased Overall Body Strength
Powerlifting doesn’t only improve arm strength and leg power through regular training, but it also increases your overall body strength.
The three movements in powerlifting targets specific areas of the body. The bench press targets the upper body muscles, while the deadlift and squat help strengthen the back, legs, and core muscles.
Powerlifting not only builds muscle, but it also improves bone density. Improved bone mass protects you from injuries and reduces your risks for osteoporosis.
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Better Posture
Aside from making your bones stronger, powerlifting also helps improve your posture by strengthening the different muscles in the body through the squat, deadlift, and bench press. Thus, performing powerlifting moves correctly is beneficial to your posture.
Whenever you powerlift, you’re using the different muscles in your body together with the core or abdominal muscles, which aids in correcting posture. The deadlift, in particular, when performed in the correct form, helps strengthen the spine.
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Cardiovascular Health
It’s not a good idea to lift heavy weights when you’re not physically fit since overexertion may trigger a heart attack or stroke. With permission from your doctor, you should be able to implement a strength and weight training program for your regular workouts, like powerlifting.
Lifting weights can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by steadily increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat. Strength and weight training also improve blood circulation so that your heart gets enough oxygen to keep it healthy.
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Mental Strength
Committing to any form of exercise requires discipline and patience. Powerlifting will not transform your body and improve your overall health in a few weeks. Consistency and determination are essential to becoming a successful powerlifter.
In short, powerlifting is hard work, but the physical and mental benefits will motivate you to push harder week over week.
Conclusion
Powerlifting is not for the faint-hearted. This unique sport combines the benefits of strength and weight training to physically and mentally improve you. The best advantage of powerlifting is that it can help you maintain strength and power even as you age.
Our bodies deteriorate as we grow older, and the best way to maintain body strength is through the right combination of aerobic exercise and anaerobic workout, like powerlifting. However, it’s best to check with a trusted physician and licensed instructor before committing to any form of training for the best results.
