How to Lift and Stay Thin

When you walk in the gym you may notice all of the cardio equipment taken and hardly anyone on the machines and free weights. Why is it that most people do cardio and only cardio? The answer is likely that they feel uncomfortable, they don't know how to properly use the equipment, or they are afraid of bulking up. Cardio is a great way to burn calories and strengthen your heart, but it will not help protect you organs, protect you from onset of osteoperosis, or help you build strength. Resistance training is a vital part, especially for women, of a well rounded and effective workout regimen.

Here are some benefits of weight training for women. Remember, you are not going to bulk up just from lifting a 10lb dumbbell.

1) Protects against osteoperosis: Women are at a high risk of developing osteoperosis and dealing with bone loss after the age of 35. At age 35, our bones begin to slowly deteriorate and weaken naturally. The way to protect against the deterioration and keep your bones strong is with strength training. Even picking up 5lb dumbbells and doing some presses, squats, lunges, shoulder raise, etc., will help keep our muscles strong and keep our bones healthy.

2) Build Strength: Everyday women are required to do tasks that require a certain level of strength, whether it be moving household items, carrying children, cleaning, running around at work, or just keeping active all day! With a weakened muscular system and weakened bones, these tasks and their difficulty are compounded. The result? Increased risk of injury. The older we get the more we strive to protect against injury because the rehabilitation time frame is extended. It is vital to keep your muscles working and strong so they can withstand the day to day activity we put upon ourselves in our busy lives.

3) Weight Training Can Increase Your Performance: Whatever your sport of choice may be whether it is running, softball, soccer, or yoga, weight training can increase performance in any sport. Being strong helps your body perform at a higher level, at a level of increased power output. Imagine playing a soccer game and your muscles bow out after an hour or less. Imaging you are teaching a yoga class and you get a muscle tear or cramp that stops you from continuing. Think about weight training as a way to make you body last longer during periods of work. Working with a body that has experience and conditioning makes any activity easier to adapt to and perform.