The Art of Weightlifting
As much as the name suggests that weightlifting is just lifting weights, weightlifting is so much more than that. To a certain majority, it is a religion. Weightlifting is an art, and like all other forms of art, all we see is the finished result and not the work and dedication put by the artist behind the scenes.
The road to lifting heavy weights begins with the diet. A weightlifter’s diet should consist of at least three meals containing all the necessary go, grow, and glow foods to provide energy to the athlete and help build muscle. Another important tip is to avoid processed foods and to eat fresh and healthy meals. According to Hidilyn Diaz’s team, her diet consists of a balance of macronutrients, which means she intakes carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats.
A very commonly forgotten rule among weightlifters is proper hydration and recovery. Plenty of weightlifters live by the quote “no pain, no gain,” but sometimes, if the body is in too much pain and stress while not being allowed to recover, it can slow down the gains from the training. This is because lifting is not what builds our muscles — but, rest. Lifting weights and exercising in general breaks down the muscles then, during recovery, the body fuses the muscle fibers back together. As for hydration, water should be a weightlifter’s best friend because water can help energize the muscles, increase the muscles’ pain tolerance, lubricate the joints, and speed up the recovery time.
Although weightlifting targets physical strength, it also tests mental strength. To be a good weightlifter, one must be dedicated, confident, and motivated. If one lacks the mental strength to push oneself, they will not make it far into weightlifting.
Last, but certainly not the least, is the training. Building muscles and growing stronger does not happen overnight. It is a rough process that gets easier with time. There are no specific rules as to how one should train because of factors such as body composition, access to a gym, and body goal. The basics of weightlifting are to lift weights that are heavier than your body is used to lifting and to perform different exercises that target different parts of the body rather than doing the same one or two exercises every day.
A great example of the ‘perfect’ weightlifter is none other than Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz. As per to her team, Team HD, Hidilyn follows a proper diet and restricts herself from giving in to cravings during competition season. She trains regularly — always finding creative ways to do so. And not only that, but she is also mentally strong; to name an instance, she continued to work hard when she was stranded in Malaysia to make her country proud.
Weightlifting is so much more than just lifting weights. Factors such as healthy diets, rest periods, and mental fortitude greatly affect one’s journey in weightlifting. Thus, one needs to be dedicated and disciplined to become a skilled ‘artisan’ in this seemingly gripping form of art.
