Many women are intimidated by the idea of lifting weights and as a result many stick with cardio exercises at the gym. In high school, I was one of those people, because the weight room was full of football players and I did not want to try because I did not know what I was doing. After taking a weight training class for women in college, I love it and I am officially addicted. I am here to tell you to not be intimidated or think it is not for you because the benefits are too great to pass up.
Weightlifting has many benefits for women, including a decreased risk of developing osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, back pain, arthritis, and even depression. Most women who weight train feel both stronger and healthier and have a more positive body image. Weight training not only increases your muscle strength but also strengthens your tendons and ligaments.
There are many myths surrounding weightlifting for women that prevent many women from trying it. Many women think that they will gain significant weight and bulk up like a man would. This is not true because women do not have enough testosterone to develop muscles of that size. Weightlifting will help you to add muscle, but only slight weight gains will occur with moderate lifting. Many women want to spot reduce, but that is also not possible. You cannot reduce fat from a certain spot, but you can strengthen the muscles that are weak. To lose fat from a specific area you must lose overall weight by exercising regularly and having a healthy diet, but you still cannot control where the weight comes off because of your unique physiologic make-up. Many women also think that weightlifting requires too much time, but you can fit in a total body workout in less than 50 minutes. It is never too late to start weightlifting, as even women in their 70s and 80s can still experience strength gains. By losing more body fat and gaining muscle you will burn more calories per day!
Before I started lifting I was underweight, which posed many serious health risks. I have developed more muscle and now I am at an ideal weight and body fat percentage for my height. I not only look healthier but I feel much healthier too. Even though I lift I enjoy running, but lifting has only made me a better runner.
Do not feel intimidated by the guys at the gym because lifting is not just for them. Also, people at the gym are almost always willing to help teach a person how to lift or give tips because they also want to see others reach their goals. Walk in the gym confident because you belong there too!
“It is a shame for a [woman] to grow old without ever seeing the strength and beauty of which [her] body is capable.” –Socrates
