There are some major misconceptions amongst women, when it comes to lifting weights. I often hear of new female personal training clients that they are afraid to lift weights because they don’t want to get “big” or “bulky”

It’s simple: women don’t have the same hormonal set up like men do when they lift weights. Women don’t produce enough testosterone so they will not get bulky. That aside there is so many benefits for women to lift weights.

Lifting weights will burn more calories than cardio training. After cardio training your metabolism will slow down when you finish, where as with weight training you burn fat during the session and also after training. Your body will burn calories for up to 24 hours after training.

Lifting weights will give you that “toned” look. Weights sculpt your body and give you the definition you are looking for.

When women get older we lose muscle mass which in turn causes your metabolism to slow down. Weight training helps to increase muscle which will speed up your metabolism.

Women are at a higher risk of getting osteoporosis. Research has found that weight training can increase spinal bone mineral density by 13% in six months. Weight training with the right amount of calcium in your diet can prevent women from getting osteoporosis.

You’ll reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.  “Muscle helps remove glucose and triglycerides from the bloodstream, which reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as hardening of the arteries,” says Timothy Church, MD,PhD, a preventive medicine expert at Pennington Biomedical Research Centre.

Strength training will improve your quality of sleep. It will help you fall asleep better, sleep deeper and you won’t wake as often during the night.

Apart from an increase in energy levels and better sleep, strength training is a great way to improve your mental health. Strength training releases “feel good” endorphins which help boost your mood.

So ladies, if you’re looking to burn more calories, increase your metabolism, have more energy and sleep better as well as a healthier life and looking and feeling better than you have ever felt, then my advice to you is starting lifting. Lifting weights will not only build you the body you always wanted with hard work and determination, but you will also have a major boost in confidence.  Now, I don’t mean go to the gym and pick up the cute pink dumbbells that your probably able to lift with your baby finger! The weights area isn’t just for men, so ladies so don’t be afraid. Remember strong is the new skinny!

By Lorna Flood
Fitness Expert with www.familyfriendlyhq.ie