How To Know It's Time To Lift Heavier Weights

When it comes to the gym, those first few sessions are the hardest. You wake up sore and the mere thought of having to sit or stand up produces a few drops of sweat, but then… it gets easier. Perhaps too easy? While you shouldn’t be waking up feeling like you have been put through the wringer every morning, chances are it may be time to lift your game and increase your weights. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about weight training is that you will end up bulking. Great for men, not so much for women who are looking to squeeze back into their favourite jeans. On the contrary, lifting weights actually helps burn fat, tone the body and create a lean physique. Bulking alone, takes a lot more than lifting weights – but we will get to bulking another time.  Back to weights… so what are the signs that it’s time to increase your weights? 

1. Your repetitions are getting quicker. If you are swinging your weights around, then you have reached a point where it’s time to increase the numbers. Lifting weights which are too light and don’t challenge you it is counterproductive to your strength and weight loss training.   

2. You aren’t feeling it.  Now by feeling it, we don’t mean that you can’t get through a single rep. By feeling it we mean, consider, is your muscle contracting with each repetition? No pain no gain…  

3. You aren’t seeing it. Results in the gym come in many different forms, from weight loss and dropping that jean's size to gaining muscle, toning and becoming overall healthier and stronger. These results do not happen overnight either. It takes commitment, dedication, a healthy food plan to match and at least 6 weeks to see some serious results. If after this time you are still not seeing results then you may need to lift your weightlifting game.

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