How heavy do we need to lift?

We have seen the bodybuilders, the meat heads, the overly developed, ripped, shredded, busting through their shirts people. They are lifting heaving, clanging weights, spotting each other and busting out their one rep max. Is it really all that necessary to lift heavy?

The short answer: YES! The longer answer is you don’t need to one rep max, but we do need to tax the system and here is why.

I want to start this with a game of tug – o – war. Imagine you line up, just you against one other person. Seems fair and likely you probably have enough strength to win. But what happens if they add another people, can you keep up? The other side of the rope represents more load, heavier weight, more life adventure. In order to handle it we need to recruit more people (more muscle fibers) to our side of the rope.

As the other team adds more people (more weight) we need to add more people (muscle fibers) to our side. Otherwise, we will be ripped right off the platform or remain too weak to even compete.

So, we need to add weight, allow our body to adapt, grow more muscle fibers, and add more weight again. Now, don’t worry, you won’t gain so much muscle that you need to turn sideways through the door, that is a myth. It takes a specific type of lifting to gain muscle like that and I’m pretty sure a little d-bol and muscle beach tank tops. 😉

What we will gain is functional strength, mobility, ability, and bone density. BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP ADDING WEIGHT! We can no longer rely on the five-pound dumbbells, we must increase and push heavier otherwise it is all for not. We will be barely maintaining and not gaining any advantage on age.

So, today in the gym, increase the weight, add a person to your team and make headway against aging and time. Commit to increasing your strength at TOA.