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