Why women should lift weights too!

So, you slave away at the gym for hours every week doing just cardio, perhaps the occasional exercise class, or the odd light dumbbell, and you wonder why you still aren't seeing the results you really want. You wonder why you don't look like these fitness girls you see on instagram with defined muscle...and abs! The answer is simple- you need to lift weights.

I get it, the weight lifting part of a gym can be intimidating and no doubt you've heard things like 'weight lifting will make you bulky' or 'it's bad for your joints' or other stereotypes and myths that are unfortunately putting too many women off lifting weights.

So here are a list of reasons why women shouldn't be afraid to start resistance training;

1.  First, let's be honest...cardio isn't exactly fun. Weight lifting on the other hand, is so much more fun! I even find it quite addictive, especially when you first start and you're hitting a new personal best all the time! 
2. It's actually way more effective for fat loss! Many people associate weight lifting with big muscles and therefore a higher number on the scales. Well, resistance training actually burns more calories than cardiovascular. You see, weight training burns fat during the exercise but also helps your body continue to burn fat after! This is because your body continues to use more oxygen resulting in an increased metabolic rate (and more calories burned). 
3. It improves your heart and bone health. It reduces your chances of heart disease. It's also common for women (post-menopause) to develop osteoporosis, but strength training is a great way to tackle loss of bone mass. In fact the earlier you start lifting the better as you will improve bone health. 
4. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn day to day. The more muscle you have, the more muscle contractions you get and so, more calories burned when not exercising. 
5. Improved quality of sleep
6. Fantastic stress relief
7. More energy!
8. And most important... NO YOU WON'T GET BULKY. Men can build so much bulk because they have more of the hormone testosterone. Women simply do not have enough testosterone to get big bulky muscles. A lot of these women you see who do have a really bulky figure will have taken some form of hormone/steroid to get those kind of results. So don't worry, you won't lift a dumbbell and wake up the next day looking like The Rock. 

So yes those are a few reasons women shouldn't be afraid to lift (heavy) weights. It's rewarding and I guarantee you'll enjoy it 10x more than doing  just cardio. 

-Jodie

Bodyline Fitness Centre