By Heidi Radbourne on January 18, 2017
We have all heard someone say, “weight lifting is going to make me big and muscular”. Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Weight lifting will actually get you the lean body you have always wanted PLUS give you more benefits.
Women have less testosterone than men
Women are built differently than men. I know you know that, but did you know women produce much less testosterone than men. “The normal range of testosterone levels in healthy adult males is between 280 to 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), reports the University of Rochester Medical Center. Whereas women normal testosterone measurements range from 15 to 70 ng/dL” healthline. That is a huge difference. If women had as much testosterone as men, they’d start growing facial hair and their voice would deepen. As long as this isn’t happening to you, then you should be in the clear to do some lifting.
You won’t look like a body builder
Women that you see in magazines who are extremely bulky, take drugs to enhance their muscles. You will not look like those body builders unless you’re spending hours in the gym lifting each day and taking the supplements they do.
Your metabolism will go up
Muscle is denser than fat. Muscle also burns more calories than fat. “For every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn 35 to 50 more calories a day” ideafit. This can add up long term and help you reach your fitness goals sooner.
You still need to eat healthy
Have you ever heard the saying, “even an inch of fat can hide the leanest muscle”? You can’t just do cardio and lift weights to get your dream body. You need to eat right too. If you are lifting and eating more calories than you are consuming, you will gain fat around your muscles and this will give you the “bulky” look. As long as you are burning more calories than you are consuming, you will lose weight and look toned.
Your bones will thank you
Weight bearing exercise promotes new bone growth and helps prevent osteoporosis. “the government predicts by year 2020, half of all Americans 50 and older will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis or low bone mass—that is, unless immediate action is taken. According to Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, released in October 2004, 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, while another 34 million are at risk for developing it.” Ideafit. That is why it is so important to lift weights. Your body will thank you in the years to come. Not only will you look great, but you will feel amazing too.
Severson, Alexia. “Testosterone Levels by Age.” Healthline. Steven Kim, MD, 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 1 “Why Women Need Weight Training.” Www.ideafit.com. Ideafit, 15 Aug. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2017.8 Jan. 2017. Keller, Joy. “Osteoporosis a Rising Concern.” Www.ideafit.com. Ideafit, 1 Jan. 2005. Web. 18 Jan. 2017.
About the Author: Heidi Radbourne, owner of EzPz Fitness, is a long-time fitness enthusiast and ACE certified Personal Trainer.