Myth Busting Female Fitness Strength Training

Myth Busting Female Fitness Strength Training

Okay, there are SO many misconceptions about women and weights. I want to address the two I think are most common. In reality adding weights into your fitness routine will build muscle, give tone, definition, strength, and assist in giving you those rapid results you want. 

Myth #1 Resistance Training Makes Women Bulky and Manly Looking

Now its no surprise to me that this is still the most common misconception about strength training. Weight lifting, or even body weight resistance training, in addition to basic cardio exercise will not make women big and bulky. 

Yes, there are women body builders, but let me tell you that is an art to them. they are pushing their bodies to extreme limits and have very very little body fat. They BUILD which is actually an entire process of intentionally bulking and cutting with food, then they add in the weights which will make their muscles larger. (its much more complicated than this lol, my point is that this is not the norm!) They have extreme tone and definition, without fat...
Why though? because muscle burns fat. 

Excess fat makes women bulky, period.

Of course many women are hesitant to lift weights at first because of this myth, but after a few weeks they begin to see the benefits from strength training. Lifting weights will not only help women build the body they desire, but it also will give them a boost of self confidence. I admit without shame that I love my shoulders and my arms. I work hard on them and they are not bulky. They make me want to wear tank tops and dresses that show them off. They are my favorite feature about myself. :-)

Myth #2  Cardio is Best Way to Lose Fat and Look Toned

FALSE. False False False False False. 

You can use the weight of your body for resistance, weights are NOT required. but I will repeat myself, MUSCLE BURNS FAT. Your results will show faster if you add some resistance to your routine. 

Cardio without any strength training will burn up your muscle mass, you'll end up like a string bean or worse. You know that body type that's kinda 'skinny-fat'? You see them all the time. Men/women with very skinny arms and legs but big bellies and thighs. That is what you get when your body weight is low but body fat is high. its like over stuffing a doll with cotton, it has to go somewhere. 

Cardio is very harsh on the body. It takes what it needs first from your muscles (it's faster and easier) before it starts burning body fat. Last I checked it burns about 40% fat and 60% muscles mass.

Best way to stop that from happening? Let your muscles recover. Grow them and your body will leave them alone, if you're using them your body wont burn them as fuel. 

In reality, the only way to look TONED is to lose body fat and build muscle. And adding strength training into your routine will get you those results. period. 

Im functioning under the "fit look". That is what I want and so do most women. We don't desire to look fragile, we desire to look toned and sexy. Resistance baby, resistance will get you there.