🥇 Why You Should Be Lifting Heavier Than You Think

PLUS: Comfort Zones Build Maintenance—Not Muscle

AuthorAuthor

Ryan Engel & Michael Pender
July 09, 2025

Welcome to your modern fitness daily news report! Every weekday, we break down the trending fitness news, tips, and insider scoops to keep you informed. Each read will be under 3 minutes so that you can stay shredded and thumb through no-nonsense fit-quips. Thanks for reading!

TODAY’S LEVEL UP:

  • Coach’s Corner: Why You Should Be Lifting Heavier Than You Think

  • Mindset Shift: Comfort zones build maintenance—not muscle

  • Question from Our Readers: How do I know if I’m lifting heavy enough?

  • Fit Trivia: Which 90s sports comedy featured a character bench pressing a teammate as part of his “unconventional” training program?

Why You Should Be Lifting Heavier Than You Think

A lot of guys over 40 stay stuck doing the same weights—week after week, month after month.

The problem?

“If you’re not challenging your muscles, they have no reason to grow.”

Here’s what happens when you lift heavier (safely):

  • More muscle fiber recruitment

  • Greater testosterone and growth hormone response

  • More calories burned post-workout (afterburn effect)

  • Better strength and size gains

You don’t need to max out every set—but you do need to get uncomfortable in those final reps.

FROM RYAN’S DESK

Strength starts with belief. If you tell yourself you can’t, you’re already done. Flip the script: decide you will, then make your body catch up. Confidence is built through action. Own your mindset, own your results.

Mindset Shift:

Comfort Zones Build Maintenance—Not Muscle

If you’re lifting the same weight for the same reps for months…

“Congratulations… you’re maintaining.”

Progress lives just outside your comfort zone.

Next session:

Add 5 pounds.

Do 1 more rep.

Slow the tempo.

Make the set count.

Question from Our Readers:

“How do I know if I’m lifting heavy enough?”

– Rick, 54, from Baltimore

Quick test:

  • If you finish your target reps and feel like you had 3+ reps left in the tank…

  • If you’re not breathing heavy after compound lifts…

  • If the last few reps don’t make you focus…

…it’s time to add weight or increase reps.

Challenging = Changing.

Fit Trivia: Which 90s sports comedy featured a character bench pressing a teammate as part of his “unconventional” training program?

Answer: The Waterboy (1998)! In true over-the-top fashion, Adam Sandler’s character gets hyped in the weight room, bench pressing teammates and delivering one of the most ridiculous—and hilarious—gym scenes of the decade. Proof that sometimes… unconventional works.

Ryan Engel, Intl. Fat Loss Coach

Ryan is a leading fitness coach and one of the most known professionals in the space.

He specializes in Body Recomposition and visual body aesthetics and has reached millions worldwide with his powerful messaging. He brings a unique, non-nonsense, yet sophisticated approach to body change.

EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR OUR READERS

Our Partners:

3M Coaching: Offering Free Consultations for Limited Time Only

__

Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

📧 Need to reach Modern Fitness News?

Get in touch by responding to this email or sending a message directly to our chief editor at [email protected]. We are always on the hunt for good stories!