dolphin-fitness-strength-training

Despite overwhelming benefits of strength training, many women still avoid free weights and resistance machines. When you go to the gym, what you see?  The treadmills full of ladies and the free weight area full of guys.  Now that obviously is a gross generalization, but the myth of bulking up has long kept many women out of the weight room.

Why Should Women Strength Train?

Maintain your current muscle mass
The simple answer is, if you want to lose fat it helps to maintain your current muscle mass.  And if you want to really tone then you should try to increase your muscle mass.  Why would you want to do that?  When you are in a calorie deficit your body will burn whatever fuel it can.

It doesn’t really care what you look like; it is only interested in finding a balance of energy input and output.  Strength training is your way of telling your body that you need your muscles, and that it should find its fuel elsewhere.

If you keep doing cardio only then you will wind up with the dreaded flabby arm syndrome.  The scale may indicate that you have lost weight, but chances are you will have the same amount of fat.  This leads to your arms still shaking long after you have stopped waving good-bye.  That isn’t a good look on anyone.

Increase your metabolism
Strength training also increases your metabolism and speeds up fat loss.  If you have never lifted weights before the free weight area can be kind of scary.  You just have to take the leap, and decide that you are worth it.  Strength training will speed up your results and help you reach your goals.

Try to find someone that knows what they are doing and get some help.  Every gym has staff members that can help you, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Above all, please don’t forget that muscle is more dense than fat.  If you start strength training and you don’t lose weight, or you start to gain weight; don’t freak out.

Pay closer attention to how your clothes fit you.  You could easily be a smaller dress size while weighing more.  Just remember that the next time you step on the scale.

Now get in the gym and start lifting!!

Contact one of the Dolphin Fitness personal trainers to help you to get started with Strength training.