Weightlifting requires much more dedication from you than the time you put into designing a fitness program but also the nutrients you consume. Combining the two, you’re not only benefiting your body physically, but on the inside too, supporting muscle growth, muscle mass and more.

So, before you head back into the gym in preparation for the New Year, consider how your diet could be having a negative affect on your goals, possibly prolonging the time taken to increase your weight. There are also some of the best gifts for weightlifting available to keep you motivated, such as supplements that provide an energy-boost as your muscles begin to tire. With that in mind, we’re taking a deep dive at the role of nutrition in weightlifting.

Stronger Immune System

Ensuring we provide our bodies with the right nutrition is beneficial to all aspects of life, not least weightlifting. However, if you have a strict workout routine, the more nutrition you consume, the less likely you are to become unwell and therefore stop your training altogether. Nutrition is known to help build the immune system, helping to fight infections such as the common cold and more serious illnesses. Vitamin C, Vitamin D and protein are all critical to your ongoing wellness.

Lower Risk Of Disease

Consuming the right nutrition also helps to lower your risk of other serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, too. So, it’s not just eating the right nutrition that benefits your weightlifting routine, but your overall health. Making room for these nutrients within your diet will ultimately help you get stronger and reach your fitness goals quicker, making room for new objectives.

Increased Energy

Nutrition is known to provide energy, which is crucial for weight training. This is because it provides the calories needed to exercise and energise the body, ensuring we give our top performance each time. This all comes as part of a balanced diet that contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats that complement your fitness routine. Eating smaller but more frequent meals can benefit you too!

Healthier Cells

Foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges and grapefruits, promote the growth and repair of cells in our body. These healthier cells help to create a better body structure, converting the nutrients into energy. We need this energy to carry out certain functions, improving the way we encourage stem cell proliferation.

Greater Muscle Growth

Of course, to aid greater muscle growth, we need to make sure we’re consuming the right nutrients to support our development and progress. This is particularly true if you are weightlifting to achieve a certain goal such as to tone your muscles or counteract age-related muscle decline. So, not only does building muscle require physical commitment but commitment to what you eat, too. 

So, there you have it! The role of nutrition in weightlifting really shouldn't be undermined and can in fact help you achieve your fitness goals quicker than if you were to ignore your body's needs. Try it and feel your body get stronger!