September 23rd, 2009

Did you know that weight lifting is essential to women’s exercise routines?

Reports WGAL-TV:

Are you looking for toned arms like Michelle Obama? Then adding weight lifting to your exercise routine is essential.

Strength training, along with a healthy diet and regular cardio exercise, is one of the best things women can do to maintain metabolism and keep their arms looking great.

Despite popular belief, lifting weights does not make most women look masculine and bulky. Since women naturally have less of the hormone testosterone, an essential hormone for increasing muscle size, they do not gain muscle in the same way as men.

Of course, women who want to can get very large muscles. But women who compete in body building competitions train for hours a day and utilize supplements to enhance their muscle mass. Women who follow a basic strength training regimen will not develop muscle in a similar fashion.

For great looking arms, cardio training and strength work need to go hand in hand. Strength training helps build muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than fat, which can make it easier to lose or maintain weight.

In addition to toned arms, weight lifting can also help women ward off osteoporosis. The American Council on Exercise says that weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss and recommends adding strength training to an exercise routine at least two days a week.

Find out more at WGAL.