Top 10 Reasons For Women To Lift Weights
There is a common misconception out there that women shouldn’t lift weights. Often weight lifting is stereotyped as a manly thing or for those wanting to get big. Truth is women should not be scared of lifting weights and here are the Top 10 reasons why you should be incorporating weights into your exercise routine.
1. You will lose body fat
As you gain muscle (again not the bulky kind) you will lose fat therefore lowering your body fat percentage. Don’t be upset if you see the number on the scales getting higher though, muscle weighs more than fat. Always measure your progress by measurements rather than the scales.
2. Improved body image
With regular training your body will change to become more ‘toned’ and lean, resulting in an improved body image and higher confidence. This combined with the endorphins will result in a generally happier you.
3. Increased energy
Weight training gives you more endurance and power which results in more useable energy.
4. Improved mood and reduced risk of depression
When you exercise your body releases endorphins, these are known as the body’s natural feel good chemicals. People often call this the ‘exercise rush’ and it is thanks to this that weight training (and other forms of exercise) can help battle depression.
5. Increased metabolism
Weight training (obviously) helps you build muscle, and in order to build muscle your body has to use up a lot of calories. This in turn boosts your metabolism. A higher metabolism means your body can burn off more calories.
6. Reduced risk of injury
Weight training not only builds stronger muscles, but also builds stronger connective tissues and increases joint stability, therefore resulting in a less ‘breakable’ body.
7. Reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes
Research found that weight lifting can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure therefore leading to a healthier heart, and weight training has also been found to improve the way the body processes sugar which could prevent diabetes.
8. Improved flexibility
One of the best exercises for flexibility in weight training is the squat, this will improve flexibility in the knees and hips. Most arm exercises will also improve flexibility in the shoulders too.
9. Reduced risk of Osteoporosis
Research has found that weight training can increase bone mineral density, therefore leading to a much lower risk in osteoporosis. This will protect your body in later life.
10. You will gain strength (without looking like Arnie)
Regularly lifting weights will undoubtedly increase your strength, but for women (unlike men) it will not typically increase the size of your muscles by a large amount. Women don’t tend to have the amount of testosterone needed to ‘bulk up’.
So what more reasons could you possibly need to start including weight training into your exercise regime? Book a personal training session or exercise program today.