Is Lifting Heavy good or bad for Your Heart?

So you’ve started a gym routine or are considering getting back to the gym, but in the back of your mind, there’s that concern….

Should I be lifting heavy? 

Should I be pushing my limits? 

Should I be putting this much stress on the body every week?

You know the saying “go heavy or go home,” but does this actually align with the heart and potentially cause issues?

Research suggests resistance training SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. 

Even with this stat, ONLY 30% of people do the recommended minimum of two strength training sessions per week. 

And 60% of people don’t do ANY strength training AT ALL.

This is WILD. 

The research is CLEAR lifting heavy weights could be the KEY to heart health.  It has been proven that strength training 2x/week results in 40% lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. 

Why might this be the case?

It’s been shown that resistance training workouts:

• Help reduce BODY FAT
• Improve insulin resistance
• Lower blood pressure 
• And improve insulin sensitivity 

So what does this all mean? Together they promote BETTER heart health and lowered RISK of cardiovascular problems down the road.  

However, if you have ANY heart conditions, issues, or problems you’re dealing with YOU should consult with a doctor before considering lifting heavy. 

If your heart is healthy, there’s little concern from what I’ve seen about pushing your weights to the max. 

SOMETHING is better than nothing, and small habits compounded daily and weekly can lead to BIG changes over time. 

Even if you only have time for one lifting session per week, it can make a significant change. 

So if you’re new to the gym, start slow, build your confidence and momentum, and have a game plan (don’t guess), your commitment will pay off. 

Stay healthy,