Women and Weights

This is aimed more at women than men, as it is for some reason or another a woman's greatest fear to be seen in the weights section of a gym. Surrounded by all the giant men 'pumping iron' must be intimidating but it is something that has to be overcome.

Weight training is one of the most effective ways to lose weight quickly. Not only that, but resistance training (using free weighs or the wights machines) is an important activity to keep arthritis at bay. It increases bone density, leading to stronger bones and therefore a stronger, fitter body.

The effect that a full body weight training session has on your body when looking at weight loss goals is a 15% rise in your metabolism, which can last for up to 48 hours. Your body will be burning around 300 calories per day on its own for up the next couple of days. Not bad. (that doesn't mean you can scoff your favourite cookies by the way). That might be worth the 'embarrassment' of 30 minutes in the weights section of the gym.

Not only will you be burning fat when doing weight training, but you will be building muscle at the same time, speeding up the rate you will achieve that flat stomach. The more muscle you have, the quicker you will burn fat from your body. So remember that when you are eying up the weights section, feeling lazy.

You don't need to worry girls/ladies, women often don't have the testosterone levels necessary to build huge amounts of muscle so you wont be looking like Arnie by the time you finish.

Top Tip: If you are worried about building up too much muscle, stick to low weight, high repetitions, for example 15-25 reps at 40-50% of your personal, maximum weight (called your one rep max). If you can complete 25 repetitions with perfect form, then go up a weight.

If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to post a comment. I would love to hear your feedback, and if any of the tips have helped your individual training and weight loss goals.