Benefits of Weight Training for Women
Many women feel that weight training is not a good idea for them, however that is not the case. “There is often the misconception that weights are not meant for women, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Weight training will have as much impact on your overall appearance and physique as cardio and diet. It is an integral part of reaching your fitness goals!” Jenny Whatley, NexGen Fitness Director of Programing. Here are just a few of the benefits women can enjoy from weight training.
Weight Training Can Strengthen Your Joints
While any weight-bearing workout, even running, can help strengthen your joints, weight training provides the same benefits while reducing your risk of injury. Most weight training is lower-impact resulting in less stress on the joints, while simultaneously helping strengthen the muscles that support those joints. Even though there is typically less impact, form will be paramount in keeping your joints healthy during weight training and avoiding injury here as well. Keeping your hips, knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, and shoulders healthy while also training your muscles will make every day activities easier, too.
Weight Training Supports Weight Loss and Weight Management
Although many people try running to lose weight, strength training can be more effective. Studies have shown that you can burn more calories in an hour of weight training than you can doing cardio. Lifting weights helps you increase your lean muscle mass, burning calories and stored fat more efficiently. Weight training is actually one of the best ways to build lean muscle. Building muscle can help you burn more calories and speed up your metabolism, the rate at which your body processes food for energy, which can help you lose weight. In fact, a study found that regular strength training can increase your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) by about 5%. The higher your RMR, the faster you burn calories, even while you’re not working out, and the quicker you lose weight. The more muscle mass you have, the more fat you will burn and you will also boost your energy in the process!
Weight Training Promotes Bone Health Osteoporosis occurs when bones become porous and weak, and are then more prone to breaking. This is common in older women. Weight training can also help you maintain strong, healthy bones. Studies have found that weight training, in particular, is the best way to increases bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Weight Training Can Lead to a Longer More Active Life
Done correctly with the supervision of an expert personal trainer, like those found at NexGen Fitness, weight training can be a lifelong activity. That is good news as strength training is often linked with longevity. Weight training provides the added
benefit of helping you to stay mobile and thereby independent during later years. It has also been linked to reductions in all types of common chronic illnesses often associated with age.
Thankfully, more women are participating in strength training now than ever before. With a little consistency and perseverance those women will be enjoying the benefits of lifting weights for many years to come.