Women and Strength Training

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

20 Feb 2006 05:00 PM

Too many women think strength training is not what women do. Seriously. The image of strength training brings to mind body builders built like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Even the most fit of women do not want to look over-muscled. However, strength training is very vital to any woman's fitness regimen and program.

Strength training helps to make you strong and accomplish your tasks with ease. The strength is not just muscle strength, it's also self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem. Strength training helps to increase your metabolism. Working cardio will help you burn fat and increase your weight loss, but adding strength training to the mix will also build, leaner, stronger muscles. Muscles burn more calories and your metabolism will increase.

Women who combine cardiovascular workouts with strength training are metabolically active. This means their metabolism will be very active 24/7 helping them to not only burn off excess weight, but also keep it off. How does that work? A pound of muscle will burn about 35-50 calories a day. Strength training also helps women prevent osteoporosis because the training will stimulate bones to retain their minerals and remain dense and strong.

Strength training as a part of any regular fitness program can also help women coping with menopause. Regular exercise can help reduce depression because it elevates the mood and relieves tension. It can also help reduce or avoid symptoms such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, joint pain, hot flashes and irritability.

Adding strength training to your program is as easy as going to the gym or using some free weights. If you've never done any before, it's recommended that you check in with a personal trainer. There's lots of books and articles out there on weight or strength training, but first-timers need the expert advice to help them achieve the right posture, position and form. One or two sessions is all you'll need, although gyms like Curves feature strength training along with cardio in the circuit-training format.

Finally, most women wouldn't bulk out with strength training, anyway. They are not generally built that way nor do they have the testosterone levels in their body required to bulk up. So if you haven't given strength training a try, add some to your fitness program. You will enjoy the benefits you reap.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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