Michelle Marie Health & Wellness

“The stronger she became..the stronger she became”

Many women are wary of lifting weights at the gym. I have definitely been one of them; it is intimidating if you do not know what you are doing. Weight and strength training is becoming much more popular among many of the studio workout classes for this reason. Studies have shown that women who incorporate strength training into their workouts are not only more likely to gain confidence physically, but also mentally & socially. In my opinion, this is the best reason to start weight training now. There is nothing more rewarding than having and radiating self confidence. Recently, there have been many new movements by popular athletic brands to express this ideology: Under Armour’s “I Will What I Want” campaign, Athleta’s Girls on the Run Program, and Reebok’s “Be More Human” campaign.

Here are 5 additional reasons you should start adding some weight training into your weekly workout routine:

1. Lean Body Mass
   Weight training allows you to preserve muscle mass which your body naturally loses and replaces with fat as you age.
   Fun Fact: 1 pound of fat takes up to 18% more room than a pound of muscle
2. Burn More Calories & Increase Metabolism
   Weight Training works to eliminate body fat while building lean muscle tissue which then allows you to more efficiently burn calories. Weight Lifting spikes your metabolism long after the workout, because your muscles need energy to repair their fibers.
3. Increases Bone Density
   Over time bone density can begin to decrease; strength training will prevent this from occurring as well as help prevent bone related injuries.
4. Heart Healthy
   Decreases blood pressure and lowers the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases & cancer.
5. Overall Lifestyle
   Studies have shown that weight lifting aids in stress relief, depression, improves sleep patterns, and increases productivity.

Check out my favorite local fitness blogger, Nicole Perr’s site, Pumps and Iron which has SO many easy weight routines to try!

This article also appears on Women’s iLab to inspire the next generation of female leaders.