Why Women Need Weights!

You’ve probably heard somewhere or from someone that women should never lift heavy weights. Gwyneth Paltrow and her trainer were highlighted on Oprah not too long ago to divulge the secrets to Gwyneth’s new-found “lean” body. Pardon my confusion here, but since when was Gwyneth ever fat? And what is she really accomplishing by lifting 3-pound weights? Nothing, and that’s just it.

The truth is, women not only need strength training – they need more of it. Worried you’ll bulk up? Highly unlikely. Worried you’ll end up looking like a Jack instead of a Jill? You have nothing to fear, seriously. Read on to find out why women need weights and why lifting more than 3 pounds is GOOD for you!

4 Benefits of Strength Training for Women

1. Strength training preserves and protects bone tissue, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Many studies have even found that in young, post-menopausal women, the more weight you lift the greater the increase in total body bone mass density.

2. Strength training is an extremely effective fat loss tool. You may be under the impression that cardio is the only way to shrink your waistline. Not true. Although cardio is necessary and beneficial for many reasons and should remain a crucial ingredient in your fitness regimen, strength training simply builds more muscle, and muscle burns fat. Memorize this: It is muscular demand that determines caloric burn!

3. Strength training prevents injury and improves flexibility and integrity at each joint. Females are naturally at a higher risk of knee injuries because of our overly loose joints. It’s important to increase the stability not only at the knees but for all of our joints. Lifting weights conditions the joints and helps to support them when you need to run, bike, jump, ski, hike, lift groceries, play with the kids, etc.

4. In a nutshell, women need weights to improve their daily function! So don’t be scared to grab the heavier weight next time you hit the gym. You’re doing your body and yourself a favor!

Meet the Trainer

Crystal is a certified personal trainer through the National Sports and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She has a passion for helping others live a healthy lifestyle and coaching them to push their limits beyond what they think they are capable of.