Many women are reluctant to do resistance type exercises for fear that they will become too bulky or overly muscular. This is far for reality and is in fact just the opposite of what’s necessary for optimum health.
Strength training improves blood flow throughout the body . . . taking away waste and rejuvenating your skin with a fresh and healthy glow. It helps to build strength and give definition to your body. Additionally, it adds density to your bones. This is especially important for women who risk developing osteoporosis later in their lives.
Your entire body benefits for this type of workout and I recommend doing it at least three to four days per week.
The following article illustrates additional benefits. Click the link below to view the related video.
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/is-strong-the-new-skinny-for-women
For women, strong is the new skinny
When Katy Brinkley began going regularly to World Gym in Fairfax, Virginia a few years ago, the last thing on her mind was picking up dumbbells. “I just wanted to lose weight, get skinny. I was absolutely miserable where I was,” she told CBS News. “I had that ‘stuck’ feeling and needed to make a change.”
However, cardio exercise — such as running on a treadmill or using a stationary bike — wasn’t cutting it. So she picked up some weights and everything changed. The teacher and single mom recently lifted more than 215 pounds, more weight than ever before.
Society’s idea of beauty and health constantly changes, especially when it comes to women. For decades women have spent hours at the gym in an effort to achieve a slender — even skinny — physique.
But lately this appears to be changing. Men have been pumping iron for decades, and now it seems more women also want muscle-bound bods. They’re incorporating strength training into their workouts and focusing on toning rather than getting skinny.
More gyms are jumping on the trend and offering classes that emphasize building muscle over burning calories. Aerobics and Zumba are giving way to kettlebells, Crossfit and P90X.
Vida Fitness in Washington, D.C. markets the concept with their slogan, “Strong is the new skinny.”
“I would define it as a movement — it’s a positive movement for the fitness industry,” Chandini Hemrajani, a trainer at Vida Fitness, told CBS News.
Health
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Kay Didas is a 93-year-old machine. She just hit her 1,000th workout at the Curves in Portage, Michigan, and she may be even more motivated than …
Anthony Tran, the fitness director at World Gym, said this trajectory is common for women who visit the gym. “I tell them they gotta lift weights! And you gotta lift heavy weights,” he told CBS News.
Experts say weight-bearing exercise helps women’s bodies recover faster, staves off osteoporosis, boost their immune system and improve balance. It also helps fast-track weight loss.
Brinkley has shed 30 pounds since she picked up weights, and she’s found the more weight she lifts, the more she loses.
“I feel so much better, and I have a ton of energy, ” she said.
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P.S. Remember, if you are starting an exercise program for the first time, consult with your doctor to get necessary clearance and seek the advice of a personal trainer to get started correctly.
P.P.S. Visit exercises for pre-diabetes today for information on starting an exercise program correctly in order to prevent pre-diabetes.
