What lifting heavy sh*t can teach us about ourselves & our lives.
We think lifting weights is solely for the purpose of putting on muscle, getting the endorphins flowing and getting stronger. But when it comes down to it, lifting teaches us more about ourselves than we can initially fathom.
Let's be real, shall we? Most of us start lifting weights because we want to look a certain way. We are in it for the physical gains, not the mental gains (and that’s totally okay). However, the more time we spend doing it, the more we realize there’s more to it.
Here are 4 things lifting heavy shit can teach us:
1.We are capable of more than we think
How many times have you looked at something and said “I can’t”? Too many to count, I’m sure, as I’ve done the same. As a coach, I ask my clients to go a little heavier than what they think they can because I know what we mentally and physically can do, isn’t always the same.
Mentally, you’re often stuck at 8-20 pounds, and that’s the lifting cap. That’s what’s comfortable. Physically, though, there’s greater potential that you’re way beyond that and your body is primed and ready for more. When we look at a large weight (whether that be dumbbells, kettlebells, or a barbell with plates) we automatically think “omg that’s too much, are you crazy?! I’m not strong enough, ready enough, fit enough (insert ‘___ enough’ here) for that!”
However, as we push these boundaries on what we think we can do and actually start trying to move the weight, we begin to realize just how capable we are. Our mentality around what our body is able to do evolves. Instead of thinking we’re not ready, we start to shift our mentality to believing in ourselves and our capabilities. Mentally we gain trust and respect for ourselves.
2. We are resilient
It’s hard. Stepping under the barbell, picking up those big-ass dumbbells, pulling yourself up to the bar - none are “easy.” It can exhaust us, we can feel fatigued… but then we rest. We give ourselves 1-3 minutes to recuperate and BAM we’re back at it.
Our bodies and our minds are resilient. We simply need a small amount of time to recover and we’re fully capable of going again. This holds true in lifting, yes, but also in life. When you feel like you’ve hit a wall in a part of your life. Rest. Recuperate. Restart. We aren’t meant to go forever, but we also aren’t meant to rest forever - we are meant to have a mixture. When that mixture is right, we are resilient.
Lifting heavy weights has taught me that when I’m tired to take a longer rest and then keep going. Small rest allows for resiliency.
Motto: When in doubt, rest it out. (then get back to it, of course.)
3. Failure is a good thing
This one’s two fold...
Firstly, bringing a muscle to failure (i.e.; can’t complete another rep with good form) can allow for increased muscle growth. Meaning, you need to reach your physical limits in order to see change. Shaking, tensing, using every ounce that’s left in you… feeling like you couldn’t possibly do one more rep at the same intensity or with the same technique you’ve been doing it. That’s getting to failure. Failure = Growth. You need to fail in order to succeed.
Secondly, when learning new skills or increasing weight, you have to be okay with failing. You have to be okay with trying and not succeeding the first time. Lifting is a practice, just like anything else. No one shows up to the gym and starts throwing weight around like they’re a pro, just like no athlete shows up to their first game like they’ve been playing for 15 years. Everyone starts at the basics, building up to increased intensity and technical lifts. I can’t tell you how many times I “failed” at pull ups before I finally got my first one. It comes with time and consistency, just like anything else you want to learn/do in life.
Failing is a part of life. Lifting teaches you to become more comfortable with the concept of not being good at something when you start out. Lifting teaches you to lean into the discomfort and frustration, but never let it stop you… instead let it entice you to keep going.
4. We are self-reliant
How frustrating is it when you have to ask someone to do something for you because you physically can’t? Even something as simple as opening a jar of pickles or sauce or whatever. The worst.
Lifting teaches you just how strong and powerful you can be, without the help of others. The more you lift, the stronger your body is, the better your grip strength is, the easier it is for you to step on stools to reach the high cabinets, the more you can carry at one time (aka the groceries), etc. Lifting allows you to be self-reliant. It allows you to trust your body’s ability to do the things you need it to. It teaches you to rely on yourself.
Lifting heavy not only gives us the physical benefits, but it teaches us that we’re capable of more than we think, we are resilient beings, we should respect and seek failure, and that we have the ability to be self-reliant. It presents us with lessons about ourselves and life as a whole. If you’re hesitating choosing weights, let this be a push in the right direction to lean into the pull to lift.
If you want to start lifting consistently in the gym, but are uncertain where to start or not as confident in your abilities yet, then check out one-on-one coaching or customized programming. These are a great place to start your lifting journey!!
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