There are many myths about strength training for women. Pictures of men and women with huge bulging muscles do not help dispel these myths. Keep in mind these are usually pictures of professional body builders and models. Misinformation about proper nutrition due to the promotion of starvation diets and other nonsense has caused many people to be too confused to actually do the right thing when it comes to fitness and health.
Myth Number 1. Training with heavy weights will make a woman have huge bulging muscles like a man who lifts weights.
This is simply not true; the main hormone responsible for developing huge muscles is testosterone. Women and men both have this hormone but women have less of it than men do. It would not be possible for a woman to build the same amount of muscle as a man does by lifting weights as she simply does not have enough testosterone in her body to do it. Professional bodybuilders, men and women alike who do develop this much muscle mass often do so by taking synthetic hormones, commonly called steroids, and other substances to help them gain muscle fast. They also follow intensive training schedules that the average woman working out would never attempt.
Myth Number 2. Performing endless hours of cardio is the best way to lose weight.
Cardio will make you smaller but will not build lean muscles and or create the toned look that many women want. It will work well when combined with weight lifting but will not do the trick by itself. Cardio will train your heart rate and burn calories. You can lose weight with it but to gain strength and build muscle, you need to perform cardio and strength training
Myth Number 3. I will have to starve myself to lose weight.
You need to eat a healthy diet, small meals four to six times a day. It will increase your metabolism and give you the nutrition you need for building muscles. You need vegetables, proteins, healthy fats and carbohydrates to fuel your body. Starving yourself will only make you weak and though you may lose weight, you will also lose muscle tone and possibly your health. Good nutrition is essential to good health. Don't fool around with those trendy starvation diets.
Myth Number 4. I will feel self conscious going to the gym to work out because everyone there will look better than me.
It is no different going to the gym than anywhere else. Really, it's not full of muscled up people with perfect figures; they look just like they do in the grocery store. Other people will be occupied with their own exercise routine and will pay no attention to you and what you are doing. You may even get some good tips or suggestions about your weight training and make some new friends!
Hopefully this will help clear up some of the confusion about strength training for women. If you want a stronger, healthier, leaner body, combine strength training, cardio and a balanced diet, and forget about all the myths associated with working out.
Myth Number 1. Training with heavy weights will make a woman have huge bulging muscles like a man who lifts weights.
This is simply not true; the main hormone responsible for developing huge muscles is testosterone. Women and men both have this hormone but women have less of it than men do. It would not be possible for a woman to build the same amount of muscle as a man does by lifting weights as she simply does not have enough testosterone in her body to do it. Professional bodybuilders, men and women alike who do develop this much muscle mass often do so by taking synthetic hormones, commonly called steroids, and other substances to help them gain muscle fast. They also follow intensive training schedules that the average woman working out would never attempt.
Myth Number 2. Performing endless hours of cardio is the best way to lose weight.
Cardio will make you smaller but will not build lean muscles and or create the toned look that many women want. It will work well when combined with weight lifting but will not do the trick by itself. Cardio will train your heart rate and burn calories. You can lose weight with it but to gain strength and build muscle, you need to perform cardio and strength training
Myth Number 3. I will have to starve myself to lose weight.
You need to eat a healthy diet, small meals four to six times a day. It will increase your metabolism and give you the nutrition you need for building muscles. You need vegetables, proteins, healthy fats and carbohydrates to fuel your body. Starving yourself will only make you weak and though you may lose weight, you will also lose muscle tone and possibly your health. Good nutrition is essential to good health. Don't fool around with those trendy starvation diets.
Myth Number 4. I will feel self conscious going to the gym to work out because everyone there will look better than me.
It is no different going to the gym than anywhere else. Really, it's not full of muscled up people with perfect figures; they look just like they do in the grocery store. Other people will be occupied with their own exercise routine and will pay no attention to you and what you are doing. You may even get some good tips or suggestions about your weight training and make some new friends!
Hopefully this will help clear up some of the confusion about strength training for women. If you want a stronger, healthier, leaner body, combine strength training, cardio and a balanced diet, and forget about all the myths associated with working out.
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