Weight Training for Women

Why Do Women Need to Lift Weights?

When women hit the gym, more often than not they end up completely ignoring weights. The problem is that most women do not realize strength training or lifting weights is almost as important for their fitness as cardiovascular exercises are!

When we hear the term "weight training," most of us conjure up images of big, muscled men sweating it out in the gym. And if you have a vivid imagination, you probably even add a few grunts that punctuate men’s weight lifting exercises to your vivid mental image. The truth of the matter, however, is that whether you are man or a woman your exercise regimen is incomplete unless you make weight training a part of it.

So, why is weigh training so important for fitness? Well, here are the facts:

• Weight training helps in increasing our fat-burning capacity. Here’s how it works: lifting weights helps us build our lean muscle mass, the more lean muscle mass we have, the faster the body burns fat!
• Strength training makes our bones stronger, thereby reducing the risk osteoporosis (a disease to which women are more prone to.
• It helps in improving our overall balance, and whether you are man or a woman you would thank your lucky stars (or this article) for advising you to lift weights as age starts taking its toll in your body.
• Heart attacks are among the most dangerous serial killers around the world; regular strength training, however, can provide you with the necessary ammunition to protect yourself. Weight training helps in burning fat faster, consequently reducing our cholesterol levels and providing our bodies with more protection against coronary diseases.
• Weight training may not have the same effects as Botox, but if you practice it regularly you will look and feel younger. After all, a slim and toned woman does look younger than her bulkier counterparts!

If you are scared that lifting weights will make you bulk up like the muscled men in your gym, don’t worry; you simply do not have enough testosterone in your body to build those kinds of muscles!

Ideally, if you work out for five days a week, make sure you devote at least two days to strength training or lifting weights. If you are beginner, start with extremely light weights and build up your resistance gradually. Subjecting your weak muscles to heavy weights or going overboard with your strength training exercises before your body gets used to lifting weight may only end up causing injuries and sprains.

As with any new exercise routine or approach, be sure to seek the advice of an expert before including weight training in your work outs. Most gyms will be very supportive of showing you the ropes of how to use the equipment properly and to get the most out of your time with them.

So the next time you hit the gym, don’t just restrict yourself to the treadmill and cross trainer. Be attentive to those poor weights as well. You will be flattered with the way they return your affections!

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen