Women’s Weight Training: The ‘Big’ Myth

One of the most common questions I receive from women regarding strength training is, “Will lifting weights make me bulky?”  A lot of women shy away from strength training because they are afraid it will make them ‘big’ with bulky muscles.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  When designed properly, a strength training program can help you achieve whatever your goals may be: weight loss, lean muscle tone, strength, endurance, and yes, big muscles if you so desire.

The truth is- it isn’t that easy to ‘get big’.  Men and women train hard and heavy for months, sometimes years to achieve maximum muscle development and definition. They also follow extremely strict bodybuilding diets.  If getting big was as simple as just lifting a few weights, the world would be a much leaner place.  Weight training also helps women increase bone density- one of the major factors in warding off osteoporosis. 

Women who would like to incorporate weight training into their fitness routine should speak to a personal trainer at their gym about creating a routine that will help them develop long, lean muscles.  Typically, this is achieved through lighter weights and higher repetitions.  Added benefits of weight training include loss of fat and inches as well as increased strength and stamina.

Having more lean muscle on your body helps you naturally burn calories and fat faster than the average person.  Men typically have more muscle than women, which is why they tend to burn calories quicker or lose weight faster.  The more muscle you have, the faster you will lose weight.

If you have questions about developing weight training programs for your body type, email me at njfitnessexpert@aol.com

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