Everyone has seen the adverts showing men lifting weights and looking great, but who knew weight lifting was equally beneficial to women? Researchers have recently found compelling reasons for women to start lifting weights too, but the number of women following this advice is still very small. Here are the top ten reasons you should hit the weights…
1. It’ll make you strong!
Including weights in your exercise program will help strengthen the muscles. Recent studies have shown that even moderate weight training can increase a women’s overall strength by 50%. Wouldn’t you love to show your boyfriend/husband that you are not just a fragile girl. And imagine all the extra shopping bags you can carry!
Photo Credit: lomokev
2. It’ll tone you up!
A woman who weight trains twice a week for two months will lose four pounds of fat, and gain two pounds of muscle. This means you’ll appear much slimmer, and weigh less too! And who doesn’t like a supertoned body like all the hot celebrities out there.
Photo Credit: pjhunton
3. You won’t bulk up!
Unlike men, women will not appear “bigger” because of more muscle. That is ofcourse if you lift appropriate weights and don’t overdo it like female body builders who have their own reasons for doing so. When done right, your body will get toned and you will look slimmer much like a sportswoman from the Olympics!
Photo Credit: amproshoot
thanks. I really didn’t know someonf these things like suffering from diabetes.
I usually lift to tone up, as muscle burns fat.
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some of ** ( I type so fast I don’t even notice typos)
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hehe don’t worry Fatima, we all have typos sweetie..
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Very motivating, the hardest part about exercising for me is that I would put it off to the next day, and the next…. and the next……
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Ah Alice, you’re a girl after my own heart.. :D
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*sigh* I am guilty of this as well.
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When I took aerobics, we always did warm up exercises, worked up to cardio, weights and then cool down exercises/stretches. Another benefit for some people that lift weights is lowering blood glucose levels if one is a diabetic.
Thanks, Cindi
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Cindi,
Just like us! I love my aerobics classes! :)
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Hi Meream thank you for your message, just responded and i wish i could lift weights!
xx
marian
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Weights are so important. I think no more than 5 pounders is fine to get the job done. I too had to use them in aerobics and it was a workout! Felt great afterward though and stronger.
There’s a limit though because sometimes too much weight lifting for ladies turns into… http://api.ning.com/files/6I6CGf2s8mdwSmbwHMxRCv6AP1OOhmoLeqa0FWNmA**dhh35CP12TQjyDIddr7qrNxv5OuoJZgdxEoJrfwHSAvplhd8QNbKW/LIsa_Aukland_Female_Bodybuilder_IFBB_Pro_Model_ezr.jpg
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Hey Theo,
I think you can go higher than 5 pounds without putting on bulk. According to a trainer friend of mine, ‘check to see what weights you’re able to lift without any strain and add 2.5 – 5 pounds to that’. and sweetie, there’s something wrong with your link!
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I feel that lifting up my granddaughter all the time (25lbs), is as good as weight lifting, no?
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Hehehe SG,
i’m sure that’s the most fun any workout can be..! you know there are a lot of exercise routines for new-mothers that involve playing with their babies, and using them as basic weights – so that they kill two birds with one stone – exercise AND look after their kids at the same time!!
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Suburbangrandma,
That’s so sweet of you love! I’m sure it’s more fun than lifting normal weights! :)
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I think that counts. I was just thinking that borrowing my goddaughter (she’s 1 year old) for a day will be just like lifting weights. Haha
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hehehe meream,
i like how you phrase that – ‘borrowing’ your goddaughter!!
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I’m imagining my mom years back, when she came from market with all these heavy bags….was not healthy for her at the end….:(
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Hey tavia,
i really am sorry to hear that!
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You ladies are so much fun.
Reading your posts and comments is such a nice way for me to unwind after a long day.
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Hey SG,
Reading and replying to all of you girls’/womens’ comments is one of the best parts of my day too!
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I love integrating weight lifting into my workouts…I wasn’t even aware of some of the benefits listed here!
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hey hiphopmuse,
Some of these were eye-openers for me too.. like who knew that it’ll help prevent osteoporosis or even heart-related stuff! btw i have to admit that EVERY time, at first sight i read your name as hiphopMOUSE :D
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