The Importance of Listening To Your Body: During Weight Training

Lifting weights can increase lean body mass (LBM) which has numerous beneficial effects, including (for men) greater testosterone output and more energy. When beginning a weight training program, it’s especially important to pace yourself. Choose weights that you can manage for three sets of 10-15 repetitions. When you’re able to lift this weight, and this many repetitions for two consecutive workouts (with proper form) then you can safely increase the weight. An increase of 5-10% of the total weight will continue to provide you with an appropriately challenging workout without being too heavy.

When lifting weights, make sure you listen to the signals your body is giving you. Pay attention to how each rep makes your muscles feel. In general, a burning sensation is normal, but sharp pain is not. If you begin to feel very fatigued, then stop and rest. It’s important to allow your body three minutes of rest between each set.

Sometimes people become nauseas or dizzy while weight lifting. This isn’t uncommon. During exercise, blood flow patterns change. Much of the blood, which usually goes to serve your brain and stomach, is moved to the muscles you’re working. If you feel nauseas, hypoglycemic, exhausted, or dizzy: Stop and rest until the feeling subsides. One easy remedy is to lay on the ground with your legs elevated against a wall. This helps your heart move your blood throughout the body.