Some Common Myths That Keep Women from Weight Training
Weight training has long been known to improve health, improve
strength, step up vigor, and improve the physique. Men have been
taking advantage of this fact for many years now, but many women
have avoided weight training and continue to do so because they
see it as a masculine thing meant to bulk up muscle.
Many women have abstained from training with weights because of
some misconceptions associated with women and weight training.
If you have never given any thought to working out with weights
before, it is probably because one or more of the common myths
about women's weight training is stopping you.
Let's take a look at some of these myths and let's find out just
what the real truth is and why you should not let them stop you
from taking advantage of all the benefits weight training has to
offer.
One common myth is that some women think they are too old to
work with weights. The truth is you are never too old to be able
to strengthen and tone your muscles. By using lighter weights
and a relatively low intensity program you can still benefit
from weight training. It has been proven through studies that
people as old as 80 and even 90 who started weight training saw
up to a 200% increase in strength over a one month period.
Another common myth is that some women think they will lose
their flexibility with weight training. The truth here is that
weight training will actually help you to become more flexible.
By doing weight training exercises through a full range of
motion your muscles are put into a stretch with each repetition
and by strengthening them, they are less prone to injury while
doing stretching exercises.
This next myth is probably the most common one by far. Many
women think that if they lift weights they will develop big
muscles and look bulky and unfeminine. Nothing can be further
from the truth! The fact is, women don't have near enough of the
male hormone testosterone, and testosterone is the major growth
hormone that will produce bulky muscles. Unless women use
supplemental means like steroids and growth hormone, they cannot
bulk up like men. Weight training will get you firm and toned
but by no means will it make you look manly.
One myth that is fairly common is that some women think that
weight training is just boring and tedious. The truth is that
weight training can be done with a friend, and you can make each
other laugh as well as help keep each other on track. You can
listen to music as you exercise. You can mix different exercises
into your routine and change up your routine from time to time.
You will also find that as your strength and your body are
improving, you will feel so much better about it all. When you
reach a certain goal, give yourself a reward like eating out in
a fancy restaurant or taking a weekend vacation somewhere nice.
Now that you know the truth to some of the myths that have been
stopping you from enjoying the many benefits of weight training,
there is no reason for you not to make it a part of you exercise
regimen. Weight training is no longer strictly for men only. So
get up, get to the weights, and get fit for life.