Some Common Myths That Keep Women From Weight Training
Jim O'Neill
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.
About The Author: Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable
information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and
nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at:
http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php
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