SHOULD WOMEN STICK TO CARDIO EXERCISE AND STAY AWAY FROM LIFTING WEIGHTS?
By Russ Hollywood
There is much confusion surrounding women's fitness these days. Should women lift weights if they are trying to build a lean, toned physique? The answer seems to differ depending who you ask. Today you'll get the facts on this subject, as well as finding out what supplements to take in order to keep your fitness journey on track.
The world of exercise and fitness has moved forward incredibly quickly over the last twenty years. Every year there are new developments in sports supplements and training methods, as well as new scientific research on previously unproven theories. It's barely the same world we lived in just 20 yeas ago. Yet despite all of this, there are many people who still have the same mentality which was floating around health clubs and gyms two decades ago.
They'll tell you that women will get big and bulky if they touch weights. They will advise you that carbohydrates are to be treated as the enemy. They'll ignore recent scientific proof in favor of following routines laid out by their favorite television celebrity. Usually, they'll also struggle to see any significant long-term results. []
Thanks to the ongoing scientific research which is carried out many of the old wives tales about fitness have been confined to the 'myths' category. Unfortunately, there are so many people who are still stuck in those old ways that the new research tends to go unnoticed by the majority.
Lifting weights is great for weight loss. That may shock you because it goes against the old wives tales you may have heard in the past, but it is indeed 100% true. If you are a female trying to achieve a leaner, toned physique then lifting weights is better still.
What about the old wives tales? Won't you end up getting huge muscles like a bodybuilding competitor?
No, you will not. Imagine if building lean muscle was as easy as simply picking up some dumbbells a few times per week. Every guy in your workplace would own the physique of Rambo! It's not that easy, and bodybuilders only obtain that type of muscular physique by dedicating their lifestyle to their craft. If you want to bring out the definition in your muscles then you need to start doing some form of resistance training on a regular basis.
You certainly do not need to worry about getting big and muscular, because the female body does not have the testosterone levels to create a bulky physique without the outside influence of supplements. For this reason, you also don't need to be afraid of aiming for relatively low repetitions in your sets. You'll often hear that women should do sets consisting of 25 or more reps, but this is old advice which has been proven incorrect.
If you can work on developing a good technique with the major compound exercises, such as deadlifts, lat pulldowns and squats, you will notice excellent physical results.
Supplements are often over complicated but in truth the key is in the name. It is there to supplement a good diet and exercise program, not replace it. So keep things simple with a good whey protein product and possibly a creatine monohydrate to boost explosive strength when you train.
Now you are fully aware of what supplements to take to help you reach your goal, you can begin on your journey to a leaner, toned physique. Furthermore, the next time you hear a lady ask "Should women lift weights?" you can help them get away from all of the old, unproven myths which surround this area of fitness.
The world of exercise and fitness has moved forward incredibly quickly over the last twenty years. Every year there are new developments in sports supplements and training methods, as well as new scientific research on previously unproven theories. It's barely the same world we lived in just 20 yeas ago. Yet despite all of this, there are many people who still have the same mentality which was floating around health clubs and gyms two decades ago.
They'll tell you that women will get big and bulky if they touch weights. They will advise you that carbohydrates are to be treated as the enemy. They'll ignore recent scientific proof in favor of following routines laid out by their favorite television celebrity. Usually, they'll also struggle to see any significant long-term results. []
Thanks to the ongoing scientific research which is carried out many of the old wives tales about fitness have been confined to the 'myths' category. Unfortunately, there are so many people who are still stuck in those old ways that the new research tends to go unnoticed by the majority.
Lifting weights is great for weight loss. That may shock you because it goes against the old wives tales you may have heard in the past, but it is indeed 100% true. If you are a female trying to achieve a leaner, toned physique then lifting weights is better still.
What about the old wives tales? Won't you end up getting huge muscles like a bodybuilding competitor?
No, you will not. Imagine if building lean muscle was as easy as simply picking up some dumbbells a few times per week. Every guy in your workplace would own the physique of Rambo! It's not that easy, and bodybuilders only obtain that type of muscular physique by dedicating their lifestyle to their craft. If you want to bring out the definition in your muscles then you need to start doing some form of resistance training on a regular basis.
You certainly do not need to worry about getting big and muscular, because the female body does not have the testosterone levels to create a bulky physique without the outside influence of supplements. For this reason, you also don't need to be afraid of aiming for relatively low repetitions in your sets. You'll often hear that women should do sets consisting of 25 or more reps, but this is old advice which has been proven incorrect.
If you can work on developing a good technique with the major compound exercises, such as deadlifts, lat pulldowns and squats, you will notice excellent physical results.
Supplements are often over complicated but in truth the key is in the name. It is there to supplement a good diet and exercise program, not replace it. So keep things simple with a good whey protein product and possibly a creatine monohydrate to boost explosive strength when you train.
Now you are fully aware of what supplements to take to help you reach your goal, you can begin on your journey to a leaner, toned physique. Furthermore, the next time you hear a lady ask "Should women lift weights?" you can help them get away from all of the old, unproven myths which surround this area of fitness.
About the Author:
Need Help? Russ Howe PTI answers the query should women lift weights in the gym today. He also shows you what supplements to take to achieve your target physique in his latest new material which is out right now.