Weightlifting used to be thought of as a sport for competitive body builders or people who wanted to look like them. It was considered a way to achieve a look and impress people rather than a component of fitness. But in recent years, researchers have begun to discover the health benefits of weight lifting for everyone – and it has nothing to do with bulking up.
Weightlifting for Women
Women are emerging as one of the groups that can benefit most from weightlifting. Since there are still some people out there who haven’t heard the news: most women can’t bulk up like men, no matter how hard they try. Those who can, can control and avoid it by doing more reps per set with lower weights (as opposed to fewer reps at higher weights). So there’s no reason to fear getting the bulky look.
Benefits of weight lifting for women
- Women who weightlift experience less osteoporosis than women who don’t. It’s believed this is because muscle pulling on bone causes bone to strengthen. Weightlifting has even reduced the effects of osteoporosis in some cases, so it’s never too late to start. Seriously, no matter your age, there is a weight lifting routine for you.
- Lean muscle mass burns calories, so weightlifting effectively boosts your metabolism.
- We lose muscle mass as we age, so building it can make you feel and look younger, with more energy and confidence.
You should also have a cardio or aerobics component to your workouts. Weight training doesn’t benefit your cardiovascular system as effectively as aerobic workouts, so you need both to achieve the best health benefits.
Filed in Strength Training
Updated: July 20, 2010
Copyright: July 21, 2010
