The Importance of Lifting

By Kori Wedeking

     Exercise and lifting is a big part of everyone’s lives, especially young athletes. Not everyone believes or thinks that lifting is needed, but there are several proven benefits of strength training.
     Lifting ensures that young athletes will develop motor skills, understand the mechanics of your muscles, and become more coordinated. Lifting one-hundred percent improves your ability to play sports and be successful in sports. Along with this, lifting also reduces the risk of injuring. While lifting, athletes learn the proper form and technique of weight training. Gaining muscle and proper technique prevents injuries from occurring on the field, court, track, course, etc.
     An obvious benefit of lifting is increasing strength. Muscular strength has a lot of value in every single sport. The more strength you have, the more dominant you will be compared to your competition. Another benefit is self-esteem. Studies have connected strength training to an increase in positive self-image, high self-esteem, and self-confidence. By lifting, you can surprise yourself and learn how strong you truly are. For example, if a track athlete is used to lifting heavy weights in the weight room, throwing the shot put at meets will be a piece of cake.
     Along with these benefits, there is the benefit of adding variety to activities. It is easy for young athletes to get burned-out and tired of doing the same sport constantly. By lifting, there is a change of pace and change of activity. Although an athlete is not getting better in a specific sport, they are still getting better when they lift because they are getting stronger.
     Lifting is not the most fun. It can be hard to challenge yourself in the weight room. It can be difficult to mentally stay focused and lift some days. It is important for young athletes to understand the benefits of lifting, that way they feel motivated to actually lift hard. If athletes push through and get a good lift in a few times a week, their sports performance will definitely improve.