Weight Training For Women

Can weight training really benefit you even if you are a woman? The answer is a definite yes so women should not fear training with weights. Many women are under the misconception that lifting weights regularly will make them look bulky and unattractive. But the opposite holds true and that is that challenging your muscles with weight training will trigger new muscle growth which will in turn increase the metabolic rate or the number of calories you burn each day. The exercises that men and women need to do will not differ much however what is different is the amount of weight women lift as they do not need to lift particularly heavy weights.

Train with light weights that progressively challenge you:

Start with light weights that offer enough resistance to allow you to do 8 to 10 repetitions with the tenth repetition being the most difficult. Each workout should challenge you more so you should lift a little more weight each workout until you reach a level of strength you are happy with and then maintain it. For most women being able to bench press 100 pounds and do a leg press of 200 pounds is ideal. Be sure to execute proper form during your workouts and focus on slow repetitions to avoid getting injured. If a weight is too heavy or you feel pain then be sure to stop and take a rest.

Training frequency:

The number of times you should train is a varied opinion and a lot of people think you should work out at least two to three times a week whilst others think that less is better. Probably a combination of both strategies is ideal so you can go for a few weeks training 2 to 3 times a week and then you can go a few weeks training maybe once a week or even once every two weeks as this will give your muscles plenty of time to recover and recuperate so they can grow stronger. Take some personal training sessions if you can or are a beginner as this will allow you to learn the proper form and technique for the workouts.

There are lots of different exercise equipments you can consider for home use that can allow you to get an effective weight training workout. You can get a simple bench and free weights or you can opt for the more elaborate home gyms even though they will cost you more. The key is to get a piece of fitness equipment that you like and will use often as that is the key to long term success. Add music to your workouts or bring a friend to train with you as this will make your workouts more interesting so you are more likely to stick with the program and see better results.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is intended for information purposes only and is not meant to be provided as medical advice. Please seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before taking on any new program.