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Women’s Weight Training Myths Exposed

March 2nd, 2009 · No Comments

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a woman say that she will not lift weights because she doesn’t want to get big like a man. Generally, when I’m in the weight room, I am usually one of the few females in there. Where are the women?

While it is important to always incorporate cardio exercise into your workout regime, especially for weight loss, it is just as important to engage in weighted workouts as well. Some women still believe that if they train with weights, they will become big, bulky and over muscular. Lets expose the truth to this myth once and for all!

Weight lifting WILL NOT turn the average woman into the incredible hulk. Women do not have the same amount of testosterone that men do to gain bulky muscle. The fact is that women have 20 to 30 percent less testosterone than men. When men lift weights, the testosterone hormone causes their muscle to grow at a greater rate than women.

Since we as women have much less testosterone, we simply gain strength and lean muscle without the bulk. Some women do carry more testosterone that other women. Even so, they do not have the capability of growing muscle in such large amounts as men.

If seeing female bodybuilders scares you away from lifting weights, understand that these women have to train practically 24/7 and are on specific eating regimes that promote muscle growth. Some overly-muscle enhanced women may consume specific drugs that enhance muscle growth as well.

The best workouts for women need to encompass both strength training and cardiovascular training. Women need to do cardio and weight training. I went through a period when I only did cardio training and found that I did lose weight and some body fat.

With only cardio workouts, I hit a plateau in weight loss and did not feel tone. Even though I lost weight, I still felt flabby. It was not until after I started lifting weights that I felt my body begin to really firm and tighten. I started losing that stubborn body fat I couldn’t get rid of before. I was much happier with my results as I developed more shape and strength.

If you are too intimidated to venture into the weight room, start with the machines or find a staff trainer at the gym to help you develop a workout routine specific to your needs. Make it a point to learn correct form and alignment to prevent muscle strains or injury. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help, that’s what they are there for.

Women, keep these tips in mind when you add weight training to your fitness routine. Women are designed to have curves and shape not be big and bulky. So make sure you target the areas that need work. If you want to tone and tighten your legs, butt, hip & thighs, as many women need to, I recommend: Women’s Lower Body Makeover!

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