| Weightlifting is one of the oldest and most | | | | effective methods, if not the best way to |
| popular sports and physical conditioning | | | | boost metabolism. |
| routines known to man. It is a test of pure | | | | |
| strength, determination, and desire to attain | | | | A number of studies have shown that athletes |
| almost superhuman physical form and | | | | exhibit higher RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) |
| abilities. As a competitive sport, | | | | than non-athletes. RMR is the number of |
| weightlifting can be traced back to the | | | | calories we burn to maintain our vital body |
| routines performed by professional "strong | | | | processes in a resting state. It is usually |
| men" of the early 19th century. However, | | | | determined by measuring a body's oxygen |
| ancient records from the Chou Dynasty which | | | | utilization (which is closely tied to calorie |
| ruled China from 1050 B.C. to 256 B.C. | | | | burning) while one is lying down or sitting |
| indicated that weightlifting was already | | | | quietly in the early morning before breakfast |
| practiced during that time. During that time, | | | | or after a full night's sleep. RMR typically |
| military recruits were also required to pass | | | | accounts for about 65 to 75 percent of the |
| tests of strength before being alowed to join | | | | total daily calorie expenditure. |
| the army. | | | | |
| | | | Moreover, it appears likely that the |
| In ancient Egypt, heavy bags of sand were | | | | combination of high exercise energy |
| lifted with one hand as a form of training. | | | | expenditure and high energy intake in these |
| While there are no records of weightlifting | | | | athletes can temporarily, but not |
| competitions in Egypt, it is very likely that | | | | permanently, elevate their RMR when measured |
| such contests took place. Although | | | | the next morning after exercise. However, |
| weightlifting was not included in the ancient | | | | there is little evidence that the amount of |
| Olympics, it seems to have been a popular | | | | physical activity performed by recreational |
| sport in Athens and other Greek city-states. | | | | exercisers for the purpose of weight control |
| Many stories of weightlifting feats, most of | | | | and health promotion will produce any |
| them probably exaggerated, have survived from | | | | increase in RMR, with the possible exception |
| ancient Greece. | | | | of exercise done by older individuals. |
| | | | |
| Today, the world's strongest men and women | | | | Some fitness enthusiasts have promoted the |
| regularly lift more than three times their | | | | idea that because regular weight lifting can |
| body weight. They need to combine power, | | | | increase skeletal muscle mass, such exercise |
| speed, technique, concentration, and timing. | | | | will dramatically increase RMR. However, it |
| One and two-arm lifting contests formed part | | | | is estimated that each pound of muscle burns |
| of the athletics program at the first modern | | | | about five-10 calories per day while at rest, |
| Olympic Games in Athens that was held in | | | | so you would have to bulk up quite a bit to |
| 1896. Weightlifting was introduced as an | | | | increase your RMR. Most people who lift |
| individual sport in 1924 during the Paris | | | | weights for health rather than for body |
| Games, afterwhich, it was already featured as | | | | building will not increase their muscle mass |
| part of the Olympics. The first women's event | | | | enough to have a major effect on RMR. |
| in weightlifting was held at Sydney 2000. | | | | |
| | | | When a man or a woman lifts weights, he or |
| In the early 20th century, America was the | | | | she is not actually building muscle, they are |
| dominant power in the sport, producing both | | | | breaking it down. The physical exertion |
| the World and Olympic Champions from 1930 | | | | involved in weightlifting causes the |
| through to the 1950's. In fact, in 1958, | | | | metabolism to speed up. After the muscle is |
| there were over 10,000 spectators that came | | | | broken down, the body compensates by building |
| to the Madison Square Garden to watch the | | | | more muscle to try and keep the muscle from |
| World Championships. By 1960, more countries | | | | breaking down again. It takes a large amount |
| have joined and assumed dominating positions | | | | of energy from calories to rebuild new and |
| in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. | | | | bigger muscles. So lifting weights burns |
| Currently, China is the world leader in the | | | | calories and speeds up metabolism not only |
| sport, with other powerhouses such as | | | | during the weight lifting workout but also |
| Bulgaria and Russia constantly producing top | | | | while the body builds bigger and stronger |
| athletes. | | | | muscles. |
| | | | |
| However, weightlifting is not for competition | | | | A weight lifting routine must be done |
| purposes only. It is also used as a means to | | | | correctly and at regular intervals if one is |
| supplement a weight loss program. Research | | | | to get the maximum effect. Going to the gym |
| has shown that weightlifting can boost a | | | | once a week will not bring the kind of |
| man's metabolism. For a lot of people trying | | | | results talked about. It will take some time |
| to speed up their metabolism, the first thing | | | | and dedication to build new muscle mass but |
| they think is to engage in an aerobic or | | | | the end result will be worth it with a better |
| cardio-exercise program. However, by merely | | | | body and a speed up in metabolism. |
| focusing on cardiovascular activities, many | | | | |
| actually miss miss another piece of the | | | | So those who have problems with extra pounds |
| fitness puzzle. Few people realize that when | | | | like the overweight and obese, you might want |
| it comes to speeding up metabolism, good | | | | to start lifting some iron... this might be |
| old-fashioned weight lifting is one of the | | | | the one miracle that you've been waiting for! |