Why Women Should Strength Train
Most women who exercise spend most of their time on cardiovascular exercise and not enough time strength training. They’re afraid to get “bulky” and prefer to be “toned”. Tone is muscle. Why is it a bad thing for women to have muscle? You won’t get bulky from lifting unless that’s your goal and you’re eating, supplementing, and training towards that goal. It’s pretty hard for women to get ripped – we don’t have enough testosterone. Don’t let the fear of bulking up keep you from lifting. Instead, read these reasons why you SHOULD be lifting heavy things.
Lose Body Fat
Strength training builds lean muscle mass and increases your basal metabolic rate, the energy your body burns just to remain in a state of rest. As lean muscle mass is increased, so is your metabolism rate, even when resting long after you’ve left the gym! With cardio, once you stop exercising, you stop burning calories.
Strength training allows you to change the composition and SHAPE of your body so your clothes fit better, because even though 5 pounds of muscle and 5 pounds of fat weigh the same, muscle takes up less space in the body. So, one could argue that FAT is bulky, not muscle.
Elevate Performance of ANY Activity
Whether you’re running a marathon, carrying groceries, lifting your children, or putting your carry-on bag into the overhead compartment, strength training will make all of these activities easier.
Tennis players will experience an increase in speed and endurance on the court, and more power to serves and strokes. Muscle mass helps runners and cardio athletes push past previous limits with more endurance and less fatigue.
Reduce Chance of Injury
Strength training builds stronger muscles, stronger connective tissue, and joint stability, making you more durable and resilient both in and out of the gym.
Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis
Strength training builds bone density and keeps bones healthy.
Strength Training is EMPOWERING!
It creates confidence and boosts self esteem, energy, and sleep quality. And it’s FUN! You’ll be amazed at what your body can do!
