6 reasons why women should be strength training

IT IMPROVES MUSCLE TONE

One of the biggest myths about women who strength train is that they’ll end up looking like a man. It’s time to settle this once and for all: That’s completely false.

A woman who really wanted to bulk up would need to follow a specific training program and a very strict diet. Women also naturally have less testosterone than men, making it harder for them to develop muscle mass.

So, is it possible? Yes. Is it inevitable? No. What strength training 2-3 times a week will actually do is improve endurance, both in the gym and in general, and firm up the muscles. Eventually, you will see changes in your body, but nothing close to looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger!

IT HELPS THE BODY BURN MORE CALORIES

The goal of strength training is to boost your metabolism and increase the number of calories you burn after a workout, known as the afterburn effect.

High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, consisting of cardiovascular exercise combined with strength training will lead to maximum weight loss, and because HIIT workouts are highly effective, you can keep them short.

Neglecting strength training in favour of only cardio could end up affecting your posture and muscle tone, since your body may burn muscle for fuel, leading to a decrease in muscle mass.

IT IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE

Whether because of our position at work, our tendency to always be on the phone, or bone or muscle imbalances, we all need a little help finding our body’s so-called ideal posture.

While its sole purpose isn’t to correct your posture, strength training can help restore balance to your body and get you standing a little straighter! If you have an actual problem with your posture, we recommend you see a specialist, who will give you specific exercises to incorporate into your regular training program.

IT INCREASES RANFE OF MOTION

The more we tend to be sedentary, the less our body is capable of finding different ways of moving. If you sit all day at work and spend your evenings watching TV, your body stays in the same position for at least 10 to 12 hours a day, not counting your commute. And when you count the time you spend sleeping, this number is even higher.

So, strength training will put your body through a variety of different moves that will keep your joints well oiled and sometimes even increase their range of motion.

It’s even been proven that exercises involving an “active” range of motion, such as strength training, could have results similar to more “static” stretching exercises, like holding stretches for longer than a minute, for example.

IT IMPROVES BONE HEALTH

Research shows that bone loss begins in your mid-30s. One in three women will experience fractures caused by osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.

To understand what osteoporosis does to bone, picture a sponge whose holes get bigger year after year. Strength training slows the onset of osteoporosis by strengthening the spine and, more importantly, the muscles, helping to prevent falls, which are the leading cause of fractures.

IT INCREASES SELF-CONFIDENCE

Strength training makes women stronger and builds endurance. The exercises also teach you how to move the right way in the different positions. First of all, there’s a sense of pride that comes from making progress at the gym and achieving results, and that builds confidence.

As an added bonus, that progress carries over into everyday life. You’ll be more self-sufficient and have an easier time with movements you previously found difficult. You’ll gain confidence at the gym and in all areas of your life.