Weight Lifting for Women

Weight lifting has always been considered a man's thing, which helps them look muscular. It is believed that women are not fit to do weight lifting because they are not capable of lifting heavy weights and also because it would make them look like men. Contrary to popular belief, weight lifting can be done by women to develop strong muscles and a toned body...
Weight Lifting for Women
Who said that only men can do weight lifting? The popular weight lifting tournaments that showcase talented women weight lifters surely negates this myth. Most women avoid weight lifting because they think that doing this would make them look huge and muscular. On the other hand, doing weight lifting can help in losing body fat. It is said that more the muscles one has in the body, more is the weight loss.

Weight Lifting for Women
Weight lifting for women is a very good method to reduce body fat and to gain the perfect body. However, the most important thing one has to remember is that it requires a lot of hard work to achieve the desired results. Depending on your goals and objectives, you have to plan out a weight training routine. If you are going to start weight lifting for the first time, it would be beneficial to consult a physical trainer. He/she can guide you on the different types of weight lifting exercise that would suit you.

A beginner in weight lifting should preferably start with lifting dumbbells. Initially, choose one that is the least heaviest and start working out. After gaining confidence in weight lifting with dumbbells, one can move towards practicing with barbells. Plan out a weight lifting program that caters to full body workout. Some of the weight lifting exercises for women include:
  • Flat bench dumbbell or barbell press
  • Crunches
  • Standing cable press downDumbbell clean and press
  • Medicine ball abdominal crunches
  • Leg extension bench press
  • One arm dumbbell press
Like all exercise regimes, even a weight loss regime takes time and hard work. During the first few weeks, you may have a difficult time and would also experience muscle pain. However, this is a temporary phenomenon and as you gain balance as well as speed with regular practice, you should gradually increase the weights and the number of times you repeat a weight lifting exercise.

Benefits of Weight Lifting for Women

The greatest advantage of weight lifting is that it promotes muscle building and helps women achieve a leaner and toned body. Other than this, it has also been observed that women who do weight lifting experience higher levels of energy and vigor throughout the day. It is also good for women who suffer from high blood pressure, as doing weight lifting exercises can lower blood pressure level. Regular weight lifting exercises make the bones and muscles stronger, and thus reduce the chances of osteoporosis.

Losing weight and acquiring a lean body with weight lifting is a slow process. Do not expect to achieve a lean body as soon as you start weight lifting. Along with weight lifting, you will also have to maintain a strict diet. Proper nutrition is very essential if you want to receive desirable results of weight lifting. It is necessary to follow a healthy diet that contains adequate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Before starting a weight lifting regime, you should prepare a training log, mentioning the days you worked out, what weight lifting exercises you did and how many times you did each exercise. You can also note down the food you eat everyday and also the amount of weight you have lost. This would help in keeping track of the way you are progressing with your health regime.

Weight lifting for women is advisable because it has positive effects on the overall health of the person. Having an healthy and toned body aids in boosting one's self confidence and self esteem while meeting and socializing with people.

By Deepa Kartha
Published: 7/9/2009
 
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