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...
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
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
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
Weight training increases the vitality of the bones, and prevents osteoporosis, a horrible and sometimes crippling illness. Bone density improves around 20% in six months of weight training, but improves fastest when teamed with a high calcium diet.
Photo Credit: Jason Nicholls
Not only will your bones be strong, your muscles and connective tissues will improve too, meaning you are much less likely to pull or strain muscles, or to suffer from arthritis which even though quite a common foot problem can be avoided. A 12 year study conducted recently showed that strengthening the muscles in the lower back reduced back pain by 80%!
Photo Credit: @ires
Weight training is proven tolower bad cholesterol, and blood pressure. These are both key signs of unhealthiness, which can really affect your heart, so keeping them as low as possible is important. If you weight train and do a form of cardiovascular exercise, the benefits are maximised.
Photo Credit: sandra..
Even women in their 80’s and 90’s can benefit from learning to weight train, as long as it is done in a safe environment. The benefits can be enjoyed at any age and your resultant healthy heart will thank you!
Photo Credit: edikeskin
Weight training appears to improve the body’s ability to process sugar, which reduces the chances of diabetes. Ofcourse there arecures for diabetes. But prevention is better than cure right? Training can improve glucose usage by 23% in the first two months! As diabetes is a growing problem, this is a huge benefit.
Photo Credit: courtney.benefiel
Ten weeks of weight training has been proven to increase confidence and fight depression, due to feeling capable and the feel good hormones being released. What a perfect way to keep your mind and body healthy!
Photo Credit: neloqua
Training will make everyday activities much easier, so whether you can cycle that bit further or run that bit faster, you’ll see the difference in your everyday life, too. It can even help with hobbies such as golf! And let me not even begin to state the great effects it will have on your sex life!
Photo Credit: panic-embryo
Staying fit can be hard work, and with so many suggestions, you feel like it's much easier to just stick to the treadmill. The benefits of weight training are unbeatable though, so get down to a gym and see what your personal trainer recommends. I did, and now I love it! Plus, you never know who you’ll meet... Have you started lifting weights, and felt the benefits? Please share your stories!
Top Photo Credit: Peggy Archer