Based in our experience, I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of strength training for women. However, despite the numerous health and fitness benefits of strength training, it is still surrounded by taboos and misconceptions that hold women back from engaging in it. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of strength training for women, the taboos surrounding it, and why it’s time to debunk them.
Strength training is an essential component of a healthy and fit lifestyle. It involves activities that help to strengthen and tone muscles, build endurance, and increase overall fitness levels. Strength training exercises can be performed using free weights, resistance bands, weight machines, bodyweight, or a combination of these types of equipment.
One of the significant benefits of strength training is increased strength and muscle mass. The more muscle a person has, the higher their metabolism, which means they burn more calories at rest. This makes managing weight and body composition easier by helping to burn calories and fat which in turn reduces the risk of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.
Strength training also helps to increase bone density, which is especially crucial for women as they age. Women are at risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become brittle and fragile, leading to risks of bone fractures. Therefore, engaging in regular strength training sessions helps to increase bone density, which, in turn, lowers the risk of osteoporosis and decreases the need for medications to maintain healthy bones.
Additionally, strength training improves performance in daily activities, making everyday tasks easier and more manageable. For instance, carrying groceries, lifting children, or even sitting down and standing up from a chair requires strength. Strength training will improve your functional fitness, enabling you to move more easily and engage in activities without getting fatigued quickly.
Unfortunately, strength training is still surrounded by taboos that hold women back from engaging in it. Most women believe that strength training will make them bulky and masculine-looking. They think that lifting weights will result in excessive muscle growth, making them look unattractive or bulky instead of fit and toned. This is far from the truth; studies reveal that women do not have the testosterone levels required to build significant amounts of muscle mass. Therefore, strength training will help you tone and shape your body into a healthy and fit look, but it won’t make you look bulky.
Another myth surrounding strength training is that it is only for men. This is simply not true. Strength training is for everyone. Women should embrace strength training as it can help to improve their overall fitness and health levels, regardless of age or fitness level. Some women think that strength training is too difficult or intimidating, but anyone can start with light weights or bodyweight exercises and gradually increase the weight and intensity as they become stronger and more confident..
In conclusion, Strength training is an integral component of a healthy lifestyle for women. It helps to increase muscle mass, lower the risk of chronic health conditions, improve overall fitness levels, and enhance performance in daily life. It is time to dispel the myths and taboos surrounding strength training for women and embrace it as a healthy and effective way to achieve your fitness goals. Remember to start small and work your way up gradually, listen to your body and seek professional advice if necessary.
