Impressive strength and muscles means lifting impressively heavy weights…or does it?

Traditionally, weight training involves lifting the maximum weight you can and then lifting 80-90% of that weight in eight to 10 repetitions until your limbs tremble from exhaustion. The theory is that this stimulates a surge in testosterone and human growth hormone, leading to increased strength and muscle size.

10 Secrets to Maintain Muscle Mass & Strength>

But if you’re not lifting 100+ pounds during your workout, don’t worry – recent research finds that you can still get comparable effects with a lighter workout.

When participants lifted just 30-50% of their maximum one-repetition weight for up to 25 repetitions, four times a week for 12 weeks, the muscle strength, lean muscle mass, and and muscle fiber size they gained were nearly identical to those of participants who followed a more traditional weightlifting routine of 10 repetitions at 75-90% of their one-rep max.

The key was to continue lifting until they reached total muscular fatigue. That would be the lifting a weight repeatedly until the effort of the final lift is at least an eight on a scale of one to 10, according to researchers.

Additional benefits to lifting lighter weights include the possibility of fewer injuries and a much lesser intimidation factor.

Still not convinced? Here are 7 more reasons to start lifting weights today:

Weight Loss

Weight training can actually help burn more body fat than cardio alone, and it helps to preserve and build more lean muscle mass. And more muscle mass means better metabolism. Even better? Weight training helps to beat belly fat! This may be why weight training is best for keeping weight off.

Combat Osteoporosis

Aging means muscle and bone loss, especially for women. Weightlifting can help strengthen bones because the stress causes more bone to be deposited, resulting in greater bone density.

Fight Depression

Studies have found that lifting weights can improve symptoms of depression just as effectively as running – great news for those who don’t like to run or can’t.

Improve Heart Health

Strength training can improve cardiac health by helping lower blood pressure naturally and improving blood flow throughout the body when practiced regularly.

Regulate Blood Sugar

Weightlifting increases white muscle, a type of muscle that uses glucose for energy, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.

Prevent Back Pain

By strengthening your core muscles, the muscles that support your spine, weight training can offset the pain caused by daily activities like sitting at a desk all day.

Improve Balance

As you get older, losing your balance is dangerous because of the risk of serious injury. Weightlifting strengthens small muscles known as stabilizer muscles that keep you steady and prevent falls.

Don’t be discouraged if you’re a lightweight lifter. With a few more reps, you can still be a workout heavyweight!