Women and Strength Training

23 Feb Women and Strength Training

Let’s talk about something which may seem hard to believe; strength training is super valuable for women, maybe even more valuable than cardio.

Before we go any further, though, we have to cast aside the notion that strength training makes women bulky. That is a myth. Women tend to lean out, not bulk up, because of the difference in hormones between a man and a woman’s body. We also have to state that strength training doesn’t have to include lifting weights. It can include calisthenics meant to increase strength used for practical tasks. Women who gain strength tend to become lean and more capable of completing activities which require more strength.

Understand, we love cardio here at Quest, but we also love strength training. Cardio training is great for your heart health, but did you know strength training offers many of the same benefits? Strength training can be used to build up both your cardio and strength endurance. As the muscle develops your body will start consuming body fat for fuel, making you look leaner and healthier as well as displaying more muscle definition.

If your goal is to run faster, jump higher or further, or improve overall performance, then strength training is a must. Most people try to improve performance by just running on a machine, but they quickly plateau. Yet with proper strength training plateaus can be easily avoided and performance can continue to improve.

One of the best reasons for women to practice strength training is to reduce the effects of osteoporosis. Did you know with proper strength training you can improve the density in your bones? For those that are already going through stages of osteoporosis, the process can be slowed by using proper strength training. Stressing the bones properly will help build density and potentially prevent onset of osteoporosis later in life. Not to mention it can strengthen joints and prevent that back pain that we all fear.

Strength training can also be used to help improve mood, reduce anxiety and prevent depression. There are also other mental health attributes such as better memory retention, and an overall improved quality of life. This is due to increased serotonin and dopamine levels from the workout itself. So look and feel good at the same time.

Want to learn more about how strength training can help you? Contact us.