posted on April 3, 2020
In the year 1913, Webster’s Dictionary defined Strength as “The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral”. One hundred and Seven years later, and the same still holds true. Strength is how our grandparents built cities and towns, were able to make it through the Great Depression and World Wars, and how our parents were able to bring us into this world and raise us into decent human beings. Today, we are faced with our own challenges, obstacles, and adversity to overcome. The absolute best way to make it through unscathed is to be strong, physically and mentally.
Being strong gives us the ability to make it through scenarios and situations that we typically might not be able to get through. When it comes to our physical abilities, strength is the absolute foundation for all other aspects of growth. Below is a list of six things that you will benefit from being physically strong.
1. Being stronger (duh): Obvious, yes. Although there are few things that compare to the feeling of being stronger than you were yesterday.
2. Building muscle: By building strength, you have a greater ability to build more muscle mass.
3. Burning fat: A stronger muscle has the ability to burn more body fat. This is due to the metabolic requirements needed to keep that muscle working and provided with energy.
4. Having strong bones: Strength is shown to have a direct correlation with bone density and strength. When the muscles are put under stress to get stronger, so are the bones in order to provide structure and support.
5. Injury prevention: Through building total body strength, we are essentially “bullet proofing” our bodies. If we fall down the stairs, we have a better chance of coming out unscathed due to our conditioned and strong muscles and bones.
6. To be better prepared for what life throws at you: Josh Bryant defines this as being Jailhouse Strong. This is having the physical ability to make it through any physical challenge that you might find yourself in. Regardless of if it’s in the gym or out in the real world.
It’s no secret that being physically and mentally strong go hand in hand. There’s a very good chance that you have even experienced this first hand at one point or another. Often times, the challenges that we are faced with in the gym through working towards our goals also help us to do the same in our everyday lives. Remember how it felt when you lifted that weight that you didn’t think you could, or made it through that workout that you thought was impossible? Remember how you felt like you could do anything once you left the gym after that training session? Well, it’s because you can. The same principles that we use to get better in the gym are the same ones that we can apply to your everyday lives, relationships, jobs, etc. Below is a list of 5 things that we experience throughout our life that will become easier through strength.
1. Setting and achieving goals: Being strong builds confidence, and confidence gives us the drive to achieve great things. As we build physical strength, we understand that we can apply those same methods and steps to achieve our personal goals.
2. Working through obstacles: Being strong means not giving up. We have all experienced many obstacles throughout our lives, and will face many more. Through strength, we understand that by not quitting when things get hard, we will eventually make it through the other side.
3. Navigating detours along the way: Unfortunately, there’s no GPS for life. It can be very easy to lose your way at times. Being strong allows you to find direction in even the most difficult times.
4. Overcoming adversity: As we get stronger, we have the ability to become more comfortable with being uncomfortable. David Goggins refers to this as “embracing the suck”. When you have built a foundation on strength, you understand that you can make it through any situation placed in front of you.
5. Being a rock for those around you: I believe that we are all put on this earth to help each other grow and become better versions of ourself. There will be times where you feel as if the world is coming down around you. The strength that you build through your trials should always be used and passed on to help those around you.
A wise man once said, strength is never a weakness. This may begin in the gym, but it goes far beyond. Be strong for yourself, be strong for those around you, and be strong for life.
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