Why Women Shouldn't be Afraid of Weights

When I show new women members around the gym, I always make a point of showing them the free weights area - which then triggers the comment "But I don't want to get bulky!". Let's look at why women

First off, let's remind ourselves why weight training is so good for everyone. It increases your strength, develops your balance and coordination, reduces the risk of disease, and supports your mental health. It also promotes bone health and (as beginners soon find out) it can boost your cardiovascular fitness.

Secondly, when people think of 'bulking' what they are talking about is muscle growth. Muscles will grow and become bigger when they are challenged to lift progressively heavier loads. Guys want to bulk, but women talk about "toning" - but it's the same thing, making muscles larger so that we can see their shape better.

Women who are after shapely arms, legs and backs need to develop their muscles in those areas and reduce any excess fat that maybe stored under the skin, masking the shape and definition of the muscles.

Bodybuilders and those really wanting to increase their muscle mass dramatically not only have to train hard and heavy, they also need to feed their muscles and give them the building blocks of nutrition that will help muscles to build and repair themselves. So they will eat more calories than their body needs to maintain their current weight. They will make extra energy available to be used, not as stored energy (fat) but to build muscle.

So, if you are not eating loads of extra calories while working out with weights, your muscles will not grow by a large amount. However, you do need to ensure you are getting enough energy and the right nutrition so you can complete your workouts and give your body what it needs for your goals.

However, the main reason women will not develop muscles in the same way as men do is down to hormones. Women have a different hormonal balance to men. Genetics might make you slightly bulkier but that is not because of the weight training you’re doing - it might just be your body type. You won’t be big unless you pump yourself full of testosterone. Hormones will make you bulky, rather than what the exercise you’re doing.

And as for the female bodybuilders that do gain impressive amounts of muscle, they are dedicating their live to this goal. They have really focused nutrition, train really hard and use supplements (sometimes not the good kind) to enhance their results and give them the edge.

For the average woman, wanting to shape up, look good and develop shapely arms and legs, the weight area is one that shouldn't be avoided. Learn some key exercises and see the results. Book a session with a local trainer today to show you around.

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