Benefits of Weight Training for Women
Weight training for women is very important, but most women seem to shy away from this side of the gym. I recall a friend of mine that was coming to the gym with me and we walked over to the free weights section and she said "Oh boy I've never been to this side of the gym before".
I think most women feel intimidate by free weights, and who wouldn't be with all that testosterone around. I think it is why I shied away from strength training for so long. But I took a female course and college and learned how important a regular strength training program is.
Below I will detail some of the reasons why weight training for women if so important.
Reasons Why Women Should Weigh Train
Increases your lean muscle mass and metabolism: The more muscle you have the more calories you burn. An extra pound of muscle can help you burn an extra 35-60 calories a day. Now imagine losing 5lbs of body fat and replacing it with 5 lbs of lean muscle. That's 175-300 extra calories a day! Talk about an extra boost to your metabolism and fat burning power.
Allows for Better Weight Control: The best way to burn fat from your body is through a weight lifting program. As you can see from the point above, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day. This helps in maintaining body weight over your lifetime.
Makes your bones stronger: Osteoporosis is serious among women, especially those who have reached menopause. By placing additional stress on your bones, strength training will help you build density in your bones.
Helps Prevent Injury: Muscle helps to support your joints, taking extra pressure off of them. By keeping of with a strength-training program, you can maintain more flexibility in your joints.
Sleep Better: Believe it or not, a regular weight training for women helps you get a better night's sleep. Your ability to sleep can fluctuate with hormonal changes over the month, but studies have shown that people who perform regular strength training routines are less likely to suffer from insomnia. When you sleep better you have more energy and stamina throughout the day.
Boosts Your Immune System: Resistance training improves the function of your immune system. Also, if you are getting more sleep, that also helps your immune system.
Gain Strength and Self-Esteem: You do not have to get bulky to gain strength from weight lifting. Light resistance goes a long way to added strength. Not only that, but increased muscle tone will help boost your self-image.
Improves Your Posture: Muscle provide support to your skeletal system. By developing your muscles, they are better able to hold up your body. This may also help to prevent some chronic conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and osteoporosis.
Increase Overall Quality of Life: There is no question that strength training increases your quality of life. You will lower your heart rate making your heart more efficient and be able to perform every day tasks with less strain and stress on your body. Strength training also helps fend off aging. Ask yourself how many times you have seen a really fit woman and were surprised to find she was 5-10 years older than she looked.
Weight training for women has so many benefits that they are hard to ignore. Do not be afraid to learn about weight training and starting a weight lifting routine. You have so much to gain from lifting weights 2-3 times a week. Your body will thank you, if not immediately, then 5, 10, or 20 years down the road it definitely will.
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