Top 10 Benefits of Strength Training for Women

Here are the top 10 benefits women receive from strength training:

1) Increased Metabolic Rate- adding muscle increases our metabolism naturally.

2) Increasing and Restoring Bone Density- prevent and fight osteoporosis by building strong bones.

3) Increased Lean Muscle Mass- each pound of lean muscle mass burns 35-50 calories per day.

4) Injury Prevention- a solid foundation strengthens our bones, ligaments, and tendons.

5) Improved Balance- strong leg and core muscles help stabilize us.

6) Decreased Risk of Coronary Disease- strength training can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

7) Aids Rehabilitation and Recovery- the best way to strengthen and recover from an injury is to slowly build your strength around the injured area.

8) Enhanced Performance in Sports, Exercise and Life In General- climbing stairs, carrying the kids, or walking with your spouse becomes more enjoyable.

9) Aging Gracefully- strong muscles build a strong body. Strength training and fitness can help keep aging bodies in well-working condition.

10) Feeling Better and Looking Better- strength training reduces overall body fat, it tones our muscles and it builds confidence.

These top 10 benefits all come for free when you begin a proper strength training routine. Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new fitness program.

 
Found at: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-8-2005-83485.asp 
 
 
I found this article on the internet and found it to be a good summary of why all women should partake in weight training. I know many women who are worried that they will get very big muscles but this is not true. It depends on the type of exercise done with the weights. These 10 benefits are more than enough to encourage the disbeliever
 

Nice list Pupette . Unfotunately there is still a faction of people who believe that strong women are not feminine.  I have heard too many times from women around me "I can't do that, I'm just a girl", that statement always embarasses me, to no end. Hopefully women considering weight work will stumble on your post and it will be the extra encouragement they need to give it a try. All women should be strong, and they don't need to be Hulked out to be strong.
 
 

I hate when people think that women shouldn't lift weights. Why not? This is a good list. Women can't get huge, they just can't, not without years of heavy training and some steroid use it just won't happen. I really hope that one at a time we can change the sterotypes against women and that women have against themselves when it comes to weight lifting.
 
Strength = Confidence = Sexy
 

Add me on facebook!

there is still a faction of people who believe that strong women are not feminine

 
I really liked what you said thehardway because that goes for more than just the physical appearance. They are worried that if they get more confident and have more self worth its not 'feminine'. I think the most attractive women in any field are the ones who have the confidence (which is either gained as a trait from childhood or physical exercise that makes a person slowly believe that they are better than what they used to think).
 
I also think weak and fragile is more popular at the moment and most women would rather the bony look than the healthy look. Well then i ask you, who are you trying to impress? Miss eating disorder or your partner/future partner because I have not met a guy that actually likes the bones look (and im sure that goes for same sex too).

I feel like I'll break a skinny girl, and that goes for most my buddies too. My gf is hot at 5'5" 145lbs. The athletic look is sexy. But of course I'm all about hamstrings, I think they speak for fitness over all, and what else is up those shorts...

Add me on facebook!

ORIGINAL: rippedchick

Strength = Confidence = Sexy

AMEN SISTER!!!!

Excellent question.  All women should weight train. Everyone benefits.

http://www.strongshape.com/weight-training-benefits.html

ORIGINAL: rippedchick


Strength = Confidence = Sexy

X2

another benefit is being able to open that jar lid without the help from a man! haha

first day with no buds, 11/17, need a new job. 1 down 13 to go.

WOMEN DO NOT LIFT WEIGHTS YOU WILL GET HUGE BULKY MUSCLES AND LOOK LIKE ARNOLD IN A COUPLE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

j/k

"In heaven, all the interesting people are missing." Friedrich Nietzsche

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted" John Lennon

ORIGINAL: kingyoto

WOMEN DO NOT LIFT WEIGHTS YOU WILL GET HUGE BULKY MUSCLES AND LOOK LIKE ARNOLD IN A COUPLE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

j/k

if only this were even 1/8th true......*sigh

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

another benefit is being able to open that jar lid without the help from a man! haha

Ah, I just bash it on the ground until it gives in!

Strength = Confidence = Sexy

x3.

I say lift weights all your life.  I think the fitness models look awesome IMO, like Jamie Eason, Monica Brant, etc., and are an inspiration to all women of a healthy body and lifestyle.  As for the juicers, well they look like men, but that is the price they pay for messing with all those horse hormones.  Let me testify that you will only cut up and not bulk up if you don't use supplements and your nutrition is off.  As a wheel-spinner for many years, I can tell you first hand that it doesn't hurt for the ladies to bust their rears as hard as they can lifting and that they shouldn't fear bulking because it won't happen unless they deliberately set out to do it.  Most importantly, it turns me on big time to see cut and shapely women with some bulk, so start lifting now!

#11

My bf just relayed this story to me...

He was talking with somebody who had dated a samoian lady (she was sterotypically samoian in body size and shape, she was a thich sturdy woman, although not fit). This guy was saying how he was into it, and then not so much, she had cankles, her bones were really big, he said it felt like he was kinda dating a body builder.

Well my Bf retorted that he was dating a body builder (although weight lifter is a more accurate description of what I personally do).  The guy asked if that was weird, or whatever, BF reply was 'we'll be having sex, and I can put her in all sorts of positions... and she can hold them, and often times supports all of my weight, I ask if I am hurting her, of if it is uncomfortable and she always can take it' (and I can, if I couldn't I would say so). His other friend who happened to be there remarked as to how visually appealing i am, thanks to my weight work. And the Bf came home (which is how I heard the story in the first place), bitching "I am so sick of all my friends telling me how hot you are... "HAHAHa

Yeah healthy women are definitely more attractive than the ones with eating disorders. Too bad we live in a patriarcal society that gives women the impression that all we want is big breasts and a boney body. When i work out at the gym sometimes i have to look down while lifting or else ill drop the weight due to all the beautiful women bodybuilders.

July 2008:

Status: Cutting
Age:17
Height: 6'3
Weight: 226 lbs

Supplements:
ON 100% Whey
Fish Oil
Multi Vitamins

Women who push themselves in the gym are extremely sexy.  I love training with my wife and love the fact that she pushes herself to go beyond that "it´s too heavy" remark, always keeping good form, i don´t want her getting hurt.  There´s just so much stereotype out there, but congrats to all you women who weightlift, it ain´t just about vanity and looking good, in the end your health will be improved and that´s more important than anything. 

might just be me, but it seems like every muscular guy likes a chick who's tone and somewhat muscular.  so i guess a benefit would be the big guys would be attracted to you (if the girl likes big guys)

ORIGINAL: mr. 209
another benefit is being able to open that jar lid without the help from a man! haha

Yes, but we need SOMETHING to make men feel useful..