Strength Training For Women

The importance of strength training for women who want to lose fat from their bodies is often misunderstood. Although strength training can involve weights and other exercises that are often associated with bodybuilding, it does not automatically lead to a woman becoming a female bodybuilder.

Unless you take it to extremes, strength training for women will simply result in a stronger, more toned and less flabby body - which is what most of us want.

Strength training for women is a little different in emphasis than a strength workout for men. For example, women are generally not so interested in over developing the shoulders and upper arms. They are more interested in firming up the buttocks and thighs. They are not aiming for the V shape that is the sign of a strong masculine body.

Nevertheless, it is important to do some work on these areas too. There is a high risk of injury when some muscle groups are strongly developed while others are left weak. So be sure that your workout includes all muscle groups on different days of the week.

It comes as a surprise to many women to discover that it is not a good idea to do the same exercises every day. This is because muscles are not built during exercise. They are broken down while you exercise, and then they rebuild, stronger, in the rest time that follows.

It's like they say, 'Wow, that was tough. Better build up stronger now if she's going to start using us like that.'

This rebuilding time can take several days to a week, so the best way to plan strength training for women and men is to have a schedule that works one muscle group hard each day that you are training.

You don't even have to train every day, although you could do some cardio or other exercise on some of your rest days. Here is a plan that you could use for your workout week:

• Monday - buttocks, thighs and calves
• Tuesday - shoulders and triceps
• Thursday - back and abs
• Saturday - chest and biceps

You will find plenty of exercises for each muscle group online. If you have access to a gym, you will have a wide choice of exercises using machines. If you are working out at home, however, you will need to plan more carefully.

One vital piece of equipment for strength training for women is a set of weights. Dumbbells are the most common and easiest to store if you are working out at home. Dumbbells are used in exercises that develop the shoulders and back as well as arms. They are inexpensive and you can even buy them in pink or whatever color you want.

If it seems hard at first to find the time to exercise, remind yourself that getting fit will actually give you more time. Most people find that as their fitness increases, they work more efficiently, fitting more tasks into each day.

Mood is better and sleep patterns will often normalize so that you may feel more rested after a shorter time in bed. Keep to your schedule and maybe you too will benefit from great results from strength training for women.