Top 10 weight lifting exercises for over all fitness

Evey one should know the benefits of lifting weights. If you don't then listen up! Resistance training will make you loose fat, build muscle, and live healthier when coupled with a healthy diet! If you are concerned about your fitness level, the way you look or the way you feel then you will want to lift weights. If your a woman don't fall prey to the myths that lifting weights will make you get big and bulky. This is not true, in fact lifting weights will assist you in becoming leaner as well as obtaining a skinnier waist line! This article just has the top 10 exercises for raising your fitness level as well as strength & endurance. I will not go into great detail as to how to perform these exercises or when to. The main focus of this hub is just to make note of the benefits of certain exercises.

1- Dead lift- The grand daddy of all exercises is the dead lift. It works more muscles, harder. If you want a lean and toned physique then you need to start dead lifting. Dead lifts will improve your posture as well as even out the weak links. For men going heavy on the dead lift will strengthen almost all other lifts as well as build thick full muscle on your entire back and hamstrings!

2- Squat- Second only to the dead lift is the squat! This is the go to exercise for toning, defining, and building your thighs, hams, and glutes! The squat will help build a toned lower body as well as greatly increase strength. The legs are the base of your body and most other lifts. Along with this having strong legs is key to many sports! Shut up and Squat!

3- Bench press- The bench is probably one of the most widely known lifts and is very important to having a toned and well built physique. Benching will primarily work your pectoral muscles as well as triceps and shoulders. It is very key not to forget benching when trying to build a new body.

4- Pull up/ lat pull-down- It is vitally important not to forget to train your back! Two of the best exercises to do this are the pull up and lat pull-downs. Both are about the same movement and both will sculpt you a new back.

5- Barbell rows- Another important exercise for your back is a barbell row. This is a very classic motion and will help tone and build your back. Be sure to not go too heavy on this right away or without lifting straps for fear of injury!

6- Lunges- A great exercise for building your legs and primarily your glutes! Even with light weight you will begin to feel your legs burning in no time! A great stretch as well as conditioning exercise as well. Be sure to incorporate lunges into your leg days!

7- Power cleans- A much more advanced lift that you should not try until you are comfortable with it. Even then be sure to just use the bar until you have proper form. That aside power cleans are one of the best conditioning exercises as well as very key for any one training for sports! When you do power cleans you will feel muscles become sore that you didn't even know you had!

8- Dips- Dips work the triceps as well as the pectoral muscles. Dips are a very functional move and will tone your arms and for the men build mass in your triceps. This also is a very good stretch for your pecs.

9- Pull overs- Dumbbell pull overs are a great exercise for building mass in your pecs as well as lats. They also provide a good stretch.

10- Hanging leg Raises- I had to put an ab exercise in here and I figured that one of the best is probably hanging leg raises. They provide a great work out for your abs. Just be sure not to swing!

Remember every one there is no sense exercising if you don't have a healthy diet!

If your goal is building muscle then you must change your diet accordingly along with adding a supplement regimen. If your very serious about building muscle also look into creatine!