Weight lifting doesn't make women manly

“If I lift weights, I will look like a man.”  If that’s what you think, read carefully.

It's appalling the large number of women who believe they should not weight train because it will make them bulk up or miraculously develop large, unsightly muscles.

First of all, any woman who believes that is misinformed.  About seven years ago, when I was at the height of my weight training, I was smaller than I am now and had less body fat.  So, don't believe that just because you lift you'll gain size and look more masculine.

It's not that easy to build muscle thus altering your feminine appearance.  In fact, it’s harder for women to build big muscles than men because women naturally don't have high levels of testosterone.

What's most frustrating for me about this topic is women who don't weight train don't seem to be concerned about strength.  To me, being thin and appearing fit is useless if you can’t perform basic functional strength exercises.  The exercises are called functional because they don't target one muscle group, but focus on ranges of motion.

For example, when you reach up to grab something off a shelf or place something on a shelf, you're performing a classic weight training movement.   It’s called an overhead press or push press in some cases, if the item is heavy.

Do you have to lift a heavy box or carry packages into the house? Sure you do.  In that movement you're executing a deadlift.

And if you have little ones who you pick up -- well, you’re deadlifting and squatting.

Your body appreciates your ability to perform those movements.  By adding weight training to your workout, you not only learn to execute those movements correctly, but you also become stronger and more efficient because you’re using weights.  The resistance or how heavy the weight is, combined with how many reps you do per set, directly affects how much muscle you will gain.

Therefore, there is a method to gaining muscle, it’s not automatic. The best past of weight training is its affect on your metabolism. Performing weight bearing exercises or lifting weights, combined with your cardiovascular workout is the best way to achieve a lean, sculpted body.

If you still have your doubts, check out this article, it hits the nail on the head and addresses all of the myths about women and weights.