We all have to start from somewhere and I’m sure we all started from humble beginnings when we first stepped into the gym. As our strength increased, our poundage or weight lifted also increased, and I’m pretty sure as we got stronger, we also got bigger.

So why do some people go backwards instead of forwards? Why do they use the same light weights they started using when they first stepped foot in the gym over and over again, with almost no progression? It doesn’t make any sense, instead of progressing they are regressing and I am sure that you, the reader, have seen or know these types of people.

It is proven that as our strength increases, our lean body mass, also known as muscle mass, also increases. Now some people might say that using light weights increases the pump or blood flow to the muscle better than using heavy weights. However, that is completely false and incorrect. By using heavy weights, you not only make progress in the gym, but you rip and tear muscle fibers better than light weights. Which therefore increases the blood flow to the muscle tenfold instead of using lighter weights.

Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes using light weights is better than using heavy weights. Light weights can be used to warm up your muscles before an intense intense workout and not only that, but light weights can also be used to prevent injury by warming up or stretching your muscles. Also, using light weights is preferred when doing things like drop sets, supersets, etc.

In general, heavier weights are better than lightweights because they will make you grow like crazy compared to lighter weights. With all due respect, though, it’s all up to you, if you prefer lightweights to heavyweights, keep doing what you’re doing because there’s no way I’m going to change your mind. However, I advise you to try heavy weights. Give them a try, not because you want to show everyone in the gym how much weight you can lift, but because they have been scientifically shown to build strength and dry lean muscle mass much better than light weights. Of course, when used in the correct way, which means going to complete muscular failure and doing the form correctly.