Re:
Weighlifting for the goal of increasing mass does put undue stress on the body, and can weaken the immune system in the short-run if you OVER-train based on your genetics, but the idea it stunts your growth is a myth. In fact, that's 1 reason kids are so lethargic these days. What was once deemed as "successful" has been discarded. Do you parents used to use alcohol to numb the gums of kids when they were teething? Or that many early day medicines contained what are now illegal drugs? I would submit that previous generations are less fvcked in the head than current ones, and yet all our kids are on prescription meds for ADD and playing video games. So who's right?
Let's use an example...
The body exists in homeostasis day in, day out. What they LEVEL is, depends on your physical fitness and activity level. If you're highly active, then that is your level. If your sedentary, that is your level. Whatever your level is, training to induce growth goes like this...
Homeostatis (Level)
- Supercompensation
- Immune system/recovery
You see, the first level of recovery is one that puts your body back together after extreme stress. The body doesn't go RIGHT at building muscle. Instead, it goes toward bringing you back to a healing position. THEN, you being OUTgrowing your current position.
If you train super consistently and don't have good recovery abilities, your body stays at the lowest level, just trying to recover, and never GETS to the growth stages. Most guys FEEL THIS, when they lack energy, motivation, maybe hit depression (short-term), or don't get stronger by next lifting session. It shouldn't be unfathomable to gain 5lbs, or 2.5lbs by next lifting session, progressively.
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The other left out piece, especially for women, is that lifting increases bone density, calcium absorption, and strength on the muscle/bones used. So if a woman does squats, the induced stress leads to growth in the muscle and increased bone density, hopefully pushing osteoporosis off indefinately. The same goes for men, just that their bones are naturally thicker, and they have a propensity for activity that lends itself to increasing bones density. Altogether, GOOD results given the myths surrounding it.
You don't get the same benefit from curls, shoulder exercises, butt blasters, or even calf raises. Sorry guys, or girls. And only heavy to medium lifting offers this benefit. Light lifting has no real benefits when compared to medium, heavy lifting. In powerlifting, speeds exercises are done that is expected to increase force when you do REAL heavy weights. Normally done with bands or chains, the purpose is to push past barriers by using alternate training methods. Bands and chains provide CONSTANT resistant, unlike weights, unless you lift medium to slow paces.
You don't have to begin lifting heavy, start small, grow big, lift big. Not only does lifting big benefit you physically, it benefits you mentally, and in longevity of health.
A-Unit