(Editor’s Note: PPAI Media’s Voices series introduces the opinions, experience and advice of promo industry influencers. The opinions and ideas belong to the individual writer.)

In the competitive world of promotional products, where deals are won and lost with every interaction and success is built moment by moment, sales representatives are constantly seeking ways to improve their performance.

There are countless articles about how to be a superior salesperson: battle-tested techniques, old school scripts, research, product knowledge, and on and on. But there’s another often-overlooked tool that can significantly boost a seller’s effectiveness.

I am a firm believer in the value of lifting weights. Yes, hitting the gym may be an hour you’re not working the phones or prospecting, but it truly can make you a better salesperson.

Let me give you nine reasons that lifting weights will benefit not just how you look and feel in your personal life, but also enhance your your professional life as well.

  1. Enhanced Confidence

Confidence is the cornerstone of successful salesmanship. When you engage with prospects and clients, they can sense your confidence level, and it affects their trust in you and your product.

Lifting weights not only strengthens your muscles, it also strengthens your self-confidence. As you achieve fitness goals, you’ll develop a sense of accomplishment that carries over into your professional life. This newfound confidence will help you approach sales conversations feeling more self-assured.

  1. Stress Reduction

Sales can be a high-stress profession. Dealing with rejection, tight deadlines and demanding targets can take a toll on your mental well-being. Regular exercise, like lifting weights, is a proven stress-reliever. It releases endorphins, reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and provides a healthy outlet for pent-up tension.

A sales rep who manages stress effectively is better equipped to handle challenging situations and remain composed during negotiations.

       RELATED: Jenna Quaranta: Promo Leaders Must Protect Teams From Burnout

  1. Increased Energy

Sales reps often face long hours, back-to-back meetings, and extensive travel. Maintaining high energy levels throughout the day is crucial.

Weightlifting boosts your overall energy by improving circulation and increasing oxygen flow to muscles and the brain. As your physical endurance improves, so does your ability to stay sharp and focused during important sales presentations.

  1. Mental Resilience

Sales is often described as a mental game. Facing rejections and setbacks can be emotionally challenging. Regular exercise, including weightlifting, enhances mental resilience. It teaches you to push through discomfort and persevere, a skill that directly translates to overcoming sales obstacles and handling objections with composure.

  1. Increased Productivity And Time Management

The benefits of exercise, including weightlifting, extend beyond the gym.

Studies have shown that regular physical activity can boost productivity. When you’re physically fit, you’re more alert, focused and capable of handling tasks efficiently. Sales reps who incorporate weightlifting into their routines find that they can accomplish more in less time.

Lifting weights also enhances your time management skills, because it requires dedication to using time efficiently. Sales reps who commit to regular gym sessions become adept at balancing work commitments with personal wellness, a skill that can be applied to managing client relationships and sales pipelines efficiently.

  1. Better Posture

Salespeople spend a significant portion of their workday sitting at desks, typing emails, or making phone calls. Poor posture can lead to discomfort and health issues. Lifting weights can help correct posture by strengthening the muscles that support your spine and shoulders.

A straighter posture not only contributes to better health but also conveys confidence and professionalism to your clients.

  1. Building Relationships

Sales is not just about transactions; it’s about building relationships. Shared interests and activities can help foster connections with clients. When you incorporate weightlifting into your life, it can become a conversation starter and a bonding opportunity.

You might find that you share fitness goals or workout tips with your clients, leading to deeper, more meaningful relationships.

  1. Goal Setting And Achievement

Achieving success in sales often requires setting and achieving specific goals. Weightlifting provides an excellent platform for goal setting and tracking progress. As you witness your physical strength and endurance improve, you’ll be inspired to set and achieve ambitious sales goals. This synergy between physical and professional growth can be incredibly motivating.

  1. Long-Term Health Benefits

In a busy sales career, it’s easy to neglect your health. Weightlifting not only enhances your sales performance but also offers long term health benefits.

By investing in your physical well-being, you’re also investing in your longevity in the sales field.

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Like all salespeople in promo, you surely have a lot on your plate, so enhancing your exercise routine by committing to lifting weights might not seem like an obvious choice for improving you sales performance. But its benefits extend far beyond physical strength.

Enhanced confidence, stress reduction, increased energy levels, better posture, and improved mental resilience are just a few of the advantages that can make you more effective in the sales field. By incorporating weightlifting into your routine, you’re not only investing in your professional success but also your overall well-being.

So, hit the gym, and watch your personal life and sales career reach new heights.

Quaranta is a certified personal trainer and the vice president of sales and business innovation at supplier KNOSS Apparel. She made her debut on the PPAI #Online18 list of the industry’s best follows on social media in 2023.