WHY WOMEN SHOULD LIFT WEIGHTS

You’ll often hear women say that they are afraid to lift weights because they are scared of becoming bulky. However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that there is nothing to fear on this score. Here are a few reasons why you want to be known as the girl who lifts heavier weights than the guys.

1-  Increased fat loss and a faster metabolism

As we’ve seen, one of the benefits of lifting weights is that it accelerates fat loss, making you burn fat faster. Muscle is metabolically active, meaning that a vigorous weight training session will ensure that you keep burning calories even after your workout is finished. When you train with weights, you damage your muscles, causing them to burn extra calories as they work to recuperate.

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2-  You will gain muscle definition, without size

Gaining muscle is an extremely difficult process and even the best bodybuilders have to follow an impeccable diet and training program in order to bulk up. As women don’t have as much testosterone in their bodies as men, it’s nearly impossible for them to build muscle as quickly as guys do. Most women associate weight training with the bodies of physique athletes or female bodybuilders, who take anabolic steroids to look the way they do. Lifting weights will give you appealing muscle tone and make your body tighter. If you want to see some serious results, you’ll be better off pushing yourself to your limits and lifting heavy weights, instead of focusing on high reps and lighter weights, which are more of a cardio session than a muscle building workout.

3-  Reduced risk of injury and diseases

Lifting weights will strengthen the muscles around your joints and improve overall muscle balance and strength. This will result in a stronger body and reduced risk of injury. Another benefit of training with weights is that it will reduce the risk of contracting diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

4-  Increased strength and overall happiness

Lifting weights will increase your strength levels, making you a healthier, happier and more productive person. It’ll also become much easier to get things done on a daily basis and you’ll naturally become more active. Weight lifting also wards off depression and improves your mood dramatically.

5-  Improved menstrual cycles

Women can suffer from mood swings and painful cramps during menstruation, due to hormonal changes in the body. One advantage of training with weights - and doing exercise more generally - is that it alleviates cramps due to increased blood flow. It also helps to stabilize your mood, when endorphins (happy hormones) are pumped into your blood stream after a hardcore workout.