Weight Training for Women is Highly Beneficial
First and foremost, weight training builds lean muscle mass, and muscle burns more calories than fat. Despite what many think, weight training is highly beneficial for women as well as for men. Even if you work out with weights only twice a week for less than a half-hour, you will improve your strength and muscle tone. Another benefit is that it offsets aging by keeping your muscle tissue lean. Research has shown that there are other benefits, too. A woman who has a workout routine with weight training enhances her self esteem, and develops her immune system. Sticking with a weight training program improves blood pressure, combats the ravages of arthritis, adds bone density and strength, and even aids in processing sugar within the body. This helps resist diabetes.
Many women have some false notions about weight training, and find it easy to make excuses. Here are some of these excuses with reasons why they are just that.
Excuse #1: I’ll bulk up!
One excuse is that lifting weights will build a woman’s muscles like a man’s. This is not true due to the much higher testosterone level present in a man. A woman will actually become leaner with better muscle tone from lifting free weights. Muscle burns several times the calories than fat in your body. Even several hours after a weight training workout the body of a woman continues burning calories. The overall body metabolism speeds up, and calories will be burned even while at rest.
Excuse #2: I don’t know how!
A second excuse is that a woman can’t learn to lift weights properly. If you don’t know how to lift weights or use a weight-training machine, just schedule a few training sessions with a personal trainer. The trainer will ensure that you will safely use the equipment, and will provide a personalized weight training plan. Also, there are weight training videos that demonstrate proper techniques in working out with free weights or weight training machines.
Excuse #3: I’m scared I’ll injure myself!
A third excuse is that a woman is more apt to get hurt than a man when lifting weights. It’s not only a good idea to have a trainer when weight training for the first time, and take his/her advice, but realize that you should can with very light weights. You will soon realize once you master the techniques that you will naturally want to push yourself to feel that gratifying muscle burn. This is totally different from having pain, which you do want to avoid in your program.
If you’re not accustomed to exercise, and challenging yourself, fear not! With your weight training program, you will build strength and lose extra pounds as you tone-up. You will accomplish these goals simply by lifting the maximum weight with each set of ten repetitions or so. It’s important to keep correct form as you lift the weights, and to perform each exercise until the muscles involved are fatigued. Having a trainer the first few sessions will ensure that you are doing this properly.
Weight training is your body’s ally and not a nemesis if you begin with a common sense approach. It will truly accelerate your weight loss, and strengthen your body while you tone it. You will find yourself in the best shape of your life, possibly even better than when you were a teenager.
Another benefit of a proper weight training program is that you will not only shape-up, get stronger, and lose extra pounds of fat, but you will find that you can perform daily activities much better than ever!
Carrying groceries will become easier than it’s ever been, and you will find that you aren’t so winded walking long distances, or climbing stairs.
Weight training is not just for good looks, but will help your body perform efficiently. Your new lifestyle will give you a better quality of life, and add years to your life. Many women are discovering the life-changing benefits of a weight training program as they strengthen and tone up their entire bodies. It’s time for you to throw out all those excuses, too, and start today!
Citing:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1779
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