Women & Weights

Ask a woman to start weight training and the next thing she visualizes in her mind is her face on the body of Arnold Schwarzenneger. 😅  Funny but truueeeee. Most women won't touch anything heavier than 2kg dumbbells even if their life depends on it because they don't want to look "manly". This idea that lifting weights make you look manly has been perpetuated for so long that it seems to be the truth but is it really?

No it's not! On its own, lifting weights will not make a woman "manly" and neither will it make a man more "manly" either. Weight lifting is not that powerful trust me. If you want toned arms like Michelle Obama's or thighs like Serena's, then not only do you have to eat a certain way, you also need to combine this with the right lifting protocol. This is only way to get any meaningful gains from lifting weights. So if for instance, you randomly pick up 10kg dumbbells and do 10 reps of bicep curls with it, you will not automatically get toned arms. Getting toned arms will be the result of doing sets and reps of bicep curls as well as adjusting your eating to ensure your gains in the gym are preserved. Does this make sense?

So, if lifting weights doesn't make a woman manly, what does it do?

1. It strengthens your bones and reduces the risk of fracture and age related bone diseases.
2. It will make you stronger physically and mentally. 💪
3. It will increase your metabolism because having muscle requires more energy to maintain than fat. 🔥
4. It will shape your body. Think toned arms, butts and stomach 😊
5. It strengthens your joints and connective tissue which decreases your risk to injuries. 💪
6. It improves cardiovascular fitness. 💓
7. It improves balance and stability. 👌
8. It allows you eat more food because your body requires more energy to maintain. Remember number 3. 🍲
9. It increases self confidence. 😉
10. It improves posture. 😉
11. It improves your performance in other activities like running, swimming, dancing, aerobics etc 💃
12. It makes everyday activities like walking, standing, sitting, climbing, lifting shopping bags etc. easier.

So do you see why lifting weights should be one of your favourite pastimes? 😊 💪