Why Women Need Strength Training Too

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In today’s world of advanced technology we have little reason to get up and moving unless we choose to. We all know that exercise is important if we want to look and feel good, but most people, women especially, tend to stick mostly to cardiovascular exercise. This is a great start, but it’s just not enough. Our lifestyles have become increasingly less active and conditions such obesity and osteoporosis are on the rise. As a result, resistance training is becoming more and more important for your overall health.

Until recent decades it has been considered taboo for women to go to the gym and lift weights. But research has proven why resistance training is crucial to health and physical fitness for both genders. Whether you have shied away because you don’t want to get bulky like a man, or you just don’t know what to do there’s more than a few reasons for you to get in the gym and start pumping iron.

Lean muscle– Weights will help you put on lean muscle which will give your body a more toned look. This lean muscle will also rev up your metabolism allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day.
Osteoporosis prevention– Resistance training puts healthy amounts of stress on bones which will cause them to strengthen.
Strength- Who says women can’t be strong? Overall strength will help you take on everyday challenges with ease.
Stress management– Lifting weights releases endorphins and helps ease tension in the muscles. Weight training could be just what you need to decompress after a long day at the office.
Lowers risk of injury– Resistance training strengthens bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles which will reduce your chances of getting injured.
Reduces Risk of Diabetes– Weight training improves the body’s ability to process sugars which will lower your chances of type 2 diabetes.
Lowers risk of heart disease– LDL cholesterol is linked to heart disease. Weight training in combination with cardiovascular training has been show to lower this type of bad cholesterol which will further reduce your risk of heart disease.