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9 Things About Weight Training You Probably Didn't Know

Weight training is perhaps the most talked about aspect in the discourse concerning health and fitness. While it does present many advantages, there are a few things about weight training you need to know. In this article, we delve into some important facts about weight training. We look at the advantages as well as the disadvantages of weight training. You can then adjudge whether the advantages of weight training outweigh the disadvantages.

It goes without saying that if you are looking to build muscle and improve muscle strength, weight training is integral. Considering this fact, we go ahead and look into the benefits of weight training while also addressing the drawbacks.

Here are 9 facts about weight training you probably didn't know. Read on...

Free Weights Are Way More Effective Than Machine Weights

Free Weights Are Way More Effective Than Machine Weights

If you are really intent on building muscle, you must know that free weights activate and strain more muscles than machine weights. This is mainly because lifting free weights requires more muscles to move the weight and allow the body to stabilize than machine weights.

Refrain From Eccentric Exercise

Refrain From Eccentric Exercise

Eccentric exercise can be more harmful in the long run than you think. It does help to build muscle faster but it leads to soreness of the muscle. For instance, when you lift a dumbbell by bending your hand, the movement is concentric; when you release and come back to the start position, the movement is eccentric. So try not to stretch and go back to the normal start position while lifting dumbbells.

Too Much Cardio Will Disallow Muscle Growth

Too Much Cardio Will Disallow Muscle Growth

If you overdo your cardio workouts when your intention is to build muscle, well, it sure isn't going to help your cause. Too much cardio can hamper the positives of weight training on your muscle and lead to muscle burn.

Cardio And Weight Training Go Hand In Hand

Cardio And Weight Training Go Hand In Hand

This may seem contrary to the previous point but it definitely isn't. You cannot burn fat and build muscle at the same time. However, by warming up with cardio, you are actually warming up your muscles and are also burning some amount of fat. This helps in muscle growth by allowing muscles to function more effectively.

Stretching After Weight Training Gives You Cuts

Stretching After Weight Training Gives You Cuts

The new style element is a toned body. Research has shown that if you do stretching soon after weight training, your body gets toned faster than originally expected.

Built Muscle Does Not Mean You Are Strong

Built Muscle Does Not Mean You Are Strong

This point implies that if there is a person "x" with good muscle mass and there is another "y"with comparatively lesser muscle mass, for all we know, y might be stronger than x. Muscle building is one, strengthening is another.

Steriod Abuse

Steriod Abuse

Many people nowadays take to steroids to expedite results. The harmful effects of steroids are many- they reduce testosterone levels, make you age faster and promote man breasts.

Bench Press Is The Most Dangerous Weight Training Exercise

Bench Press Is The Most Dangerous Weight Training Exercise

A few people die every year because of dropping the barbell and choking. It is important to take support while doing the bench press. Also, make sure you don't lift weights that are too heavy during the initial phase of training.

The Triceps Are Larger Than The Biceps

The Triceps Are Larger Than The Biceps

If you thought that it is just the biceps that contribute to bulky arm muscles, you are wrong beyond doubt. The triceps are a much bigger muscle than the biceps.

Story first published: Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 18:12 [IST]
Read more about: fitness exercise