There’s always been a debate in the fitness world: How important is strength? Within the fitness community, there is a group of people who believe that "more strength is better" and strive for greater muscle mass and higher lifting limits.
Many of us pursue heavy-weight training in the process of fitness. Everyone has their desire to exceed their maximum weight.
Because the greater the weight you can lift, it proves to a certain extent that your strength has been improved, which gives you a sense of pride. But in our daily fitness training, is it true that the heavier the weight, the better the fitness effect?
We have unknowingly formed a subconscious mind, which is to compare training weights with others. When the gym is crowded, deliberately lift a heavier weight than you usually train. Because people always have vanity, but they don’t know that this not only increases the risk of injury but also causes more of your synergistic muscles to compensate. This may not have much effect on the target muscles, just like completing the task.
Strength training is not about training with heavier weights. Because we are not powerlifters, we train muscles to make our bodies healthier and in better shape. It's not that the heavier the weight, the better the effect, but the principle of gradual progress must be followed.
We can start with low-load training or bodyweight training, master the standard trajectory of the movements, gradually increase muscle strength, and then slowly increase the load. This can slowly increase the size of your muscles, allowing you to develop a better body line. However, in the pursuit of strength, we often overlook some important factors. First of all, fitness is not just to prove one's strength, but more importantly, to improve overall health and body function.
Excessive pursuit of weight can lead to adverse consequences such as muscle strains, joint problems, and fatigue. Not only can these problems prevent you from continuing to train, but they can also lead to long-term health problems.
Secondly, fitness results are not only related to the weight lifted but also interact with many other factors. For example, correct form, frequency of training, weight management, eating habits, and rest and recovery all affect your fitness results. If you only pursue weight and ignore these factors, you may not achieve optimal fitness results.
Plus, different people have different fitness goals. Not everyone is after extreme muscle mass or lifting limits. Some people may focus more on physical flexibility, endurance, or physical fitness.
Therefore, during the fitness process, it is necessary to develop a suitable training plan based on personal goals, rather than blindly pursuing greater weight.
Most importantly, fitness should be an ongoing, sustainable process. Overdoing it can lead to premature fatigue and injury, which can affect your fitness progress.
Therefore, a smart approach to fitness should balance a variety of factors, including strength, flexibility, endurance, and physical function, to ensure your body thrives and benefits long-term.
