Many women are still holding on to the belief that strength training will lead to a bulky build and that it does not help with weight loss. These deeply embedded convictions prevent a lot of women from picking up dumbbells, doing bodyweight exercises and using machines in the gym - things that create a toned and sculpted physique and aid in shedding the pounds. That’s right! Women and weight training are a match made in exercise heaven. Below we examine the four main benefits of weight training for women:
1. Improves the Cardiovascular System
More and more studies are showing that weight training is equal, if not better than cardio for heart health. Strength training beats activities that typically get the heart rate up, such as cycling or walking, in lowering the risk of heart disease. When practicing progressive overload, the strain on the heart increases. However with time, your heart can handle the heavier weights, at which point you move on to heavier lifting. It is just like any other muscle which needs to be put under pressure in order to get stronger.
2. Better Emotional and Mental Health
Leading on from the previous point, as your heart gets stronger, its resting rate gets slower. If you suffer from emotional imbalances, including things like anxiety, it will be kept at bay for longer; your pulse is more more stable and less easily provoked into palpitations. Improved physical strength = more emotional resilience.
Furthermore, the endorphin rush you feel after finishing a workout is an accumulative effect. The more you strength train, the more your body is able to regulate its hormones and biochemical processes, leading to a more balanced mood.
3. Aids in Weight Loss
Weight training is amazing at burning fat - your bodies stored energy, i.e. fat, is used up when lifting heavy. The more you train with weights, the sooner your body will start to burn off the fuel rather than keep it as energy in the form of fat. There are also instantaneous rewards when weight training, too: greater excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Basically, you burn more calories after a tough session. This post-strength-training burn is actually able to last up to a few hours!
4. You Can Sculpt Your Body How You Want
If you have a tailored plan designed specifically for your body, your lifestyle and most importantly you (something a good personal trainer can do), you can create the body you want. Knowing exactly what weight to use, how many reps to do and having perfect form when executing the exercise will take you leaps and bounds as opposed to if you were to simply follow a workout tutorial on YouTube. You will be surprised by how quickly you’ll see results if a professional is guiding you on your fitness journey. And don’t worry! It takes women much much longer than men to achieve that Arnold Schwarzenegger look - potential bulkiness should be at the bottom of your list of concerns.
Here at Arrow Fitness in Chiswick our Personal Trainers are level-3 qualified, have a certificate in Nutrition as well as over 10 years of experience working with women to achieve their goals. Our dedication to helping you on your fitness journey is unparalleled, with various testimonials praising our professionalism and expertise.
Let us create a tailored plan that suits your lifestyle, your needs and most importantly, you. Contact us today via:
Email: contact@arrowfitness.co.uk
Phone: 07871 201334
or by filling out an enquiry form here.
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