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Top 5 reasons ALL WOMEN should weight train

Weight training is often viewed as a man’s arena. My local gym is almost divided down the middle - women in the cardio room and men in the weights room. Here are the Top 5 reasons why women should weight train on a regular basis.

Women’s weight training note:
Many women believe that weight training will make them bulky and huge. This is not so. Women simply do not have enough testosterone to build huge muscles. It will simply result in weight loss and increased toning.However, I have one reader in particular (you know who you are) who will be furious at this comment so I should follow up by saying it isn’t impossible for women to build big muscles. It just takes more training and nutritional effort. For the most part, women don’t have to worry about getting big.

# 1 - Reduces risk of osteoporosis

Other than a good amount of calcium there is NO BETTER protection from osteoporosis for women than weight training. Scientific studies have shown that weight training can strenthen density of bones by above 10% in just a few months.

If you have a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis or are worried about it, add calcium to your diet and start weight training. It is that simple.

# 2 - Weight loss happens faster

The great thing about weight training that many people dont understand is that it too battle fat. Many people think cardio is the only thing you can do to lose weight. While cardio is the best thing you can do, weight training will add to that progress significantly.

The reasons why this is so is that weight training increases your metabolism so that when you aren’t at the gym you will be not only burning extra calories, but you will be preventing quite a few calories from being converted to fat. There are many other reasons why weight training helps with fat loss but this is the main one.

# 3 - You will be happier

Weight training has been linked to an increase in the levels of chemicals in your body that produce a feeling of wellbeing and happiness. These chemicals are also thought to be linked to immune function in some ways and as such weight training can help you be happier by combatting illness and releasing endorphines.

There is also the added bonus of when you look good you feel good. Many women report an increase in confidence and other resulting benefits after weight training. It makes you feel stronger, fitter, etc.

# 4 - Decreases injury and wear and tear

As we age we get little injuries from training and injuries simply from getting old. Research has shown that women who have regularly weight trained during their life have a much less change of developing arthritis, back pain, knee pain, etc. This leads to a much better quality of life and the abiliy to do cardio and weights long into the future.

# 5 - More energy

One of the biggest problems women write to me here at Real Women’s Fitness about is there lack of energy. And, one of the first things I recommend is a regular weights workout. Weight training is amazing for boosting health and feelings of wellbeing and those feelings will last long after the session has finished. It really does make your body more efficient and much stronger.

Learn more about weight training for women on our Women's Fitness Forum.

Can anyone think of any other benefits they have noticed?

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