Summer of Strength:Epilogue and Why YOU Should Strength Train

Last Friday, with the last workout of the Texas Method strength program, my summer strength training drew to a close. I've summarized the results relative to my numbers at the beginning of the summer.

	May   2012	Sept 2012	Diff (lbs)	% Diff
Squat (5RM)	265	320	+55	21
Bench (1RM)	235	270	+35	15
Press (1RM)	170	190	+20	12

As you can clearly see, huge strength gains were made this summer. The strength gains have already paid off and improved my Olympic lifting even without specifically training for them. For example, recently I easily power cleaned 5 lbs over my previous best of 250 lbs and yesterday I was able to jerk 275 lbs (a PR of 25 lbs). This puts me in a much better position for training and competing well this upcoming year. I'm totally pumped!
 
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And now I would like to turn my attention to topic I feel is pretty important.


So should you (yes I'm talking to you) strength train? The simple answer is YES. Strength training doesn't just benefit athletes, Cross-Fitters and weightlifters. Strength training benefits everyone of all ages. As Mark Ripptoe has once said,

"Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general."

So here are a few reasons that I hope will convince you to start strength training.

P.S. You might have heard these before...

My Top Reasons to Strength Train

1.If not for any other reason other than to LOOK BETTER NAKED!

Guys: Do you want to have that athletic, strong physique like Michelangelo himself carved you out of marble? I see squats, presses and deadlifts in your immediate future. If you don't want to look like that or even close to that then I just don't have anything to say to you.

Ladies: If you aspire that "toned" look with a tight mid-section, a firm behind, and those Michelle Obama arms? Gotta strength train. Long bouts on the elliptical isn't going to do this for you. Go lift some weights and build some muscle. Don't listen to Gwyneth and her quack personal trainer. Believe me...you won't get bulky and start looking like a man if you start lifting more than 2lbs (a typical package of ground beef) above your head.

Julia Rohde (GER) snatching 85kg (187.4 lbs) while weighing only 52 kg (115 lbs).
She looks so manly and bulky doesn't she :)

2. Better health.

Strength training when combined with a healthy, sensible diet can improve your overall health dramatically by cutting body fat and adding lean body mass (muscle). High cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are all a associated with being obese or overweight. Kill the diseases before they kill you. Start lifting. Also strength training just helps you feel better in general by reducing stress, improving mood and sleep.

3. Less injuries.

Bad hips? Bad knees? Pulled a muscle? Weak bones? Maybe you have some underlying issues. Probably though, you just aren't strong enough. Fact: People who are strong are hardier individuals. Stronger muscles are less susceptible to injury. Loading bones increases their density making them stronger and less likely to become brittle (middle-aged women take note!).

4. It could save your life one day.

Being stronger becomes even more important as you get older. How many times have you seen those Life Alert commercials?

I'd be willing to bet you that this elderly individual would not need Life Alert if they were half as strong as they should be. Stronger arms, hips, core and legs would allow this person to pick herself off the floor or perhaps not even be in this situation in the first place with better posture and balance. Being strong can save your life!

So that concludes my time on the soapbox...

But seriously, get to your nearest gym whether it be a CrossFit gym, a 24 Hour Fitness or just your own garage, backyard or living room and start strength training. Even if it's really light at first that's OK. Everyone has to start somewhere. You just have to START and the rest will follow.