A common misconception in the exercise world is that cardio is the most effective form of exercise for fat loss. While aerobics are great for this fitness goal, it is not the only way to maintain a healthy shape.
If your workouts consist of strict cardio, but you do not see the desired results, it may be time to change up your routine. There are many benefits of strength training for females that will enhance the way you look and feel while also protecting your bones and joints from the effects of high-impact workouts.
Benefits of Strength Training for Females
Reaching your fitness goals is not the only advantage that strength training can bring forth. Your well-being and lifestyle will certainly improve by adding weights to your workout routine.
Physical Benefits
Women are consistently surprised to hear that weight training can have a significant impact on their fat loss journey. While cardio is a quick fix to limit daily calories, strength training is an investment in your metabolism. By building lean muscle, your metabolism will work quicker, burning more calories without over-exerting yourself each day.
In fact, for every pound of muscle you gain, you can burn 30-50 more calories each day.
Another fallacy surrounding weight training for women is that the muscle gained will make you look “bulky.” Women typically do not gain in size from focusing on strength due to the lower testosterone levels; this means you’ll likely see more toning and definition as opposed to bulk.
Improving your athletic performance via weight training has proven successful in reducing the risk of injury, such as back pain and arthritis by supporting bone density. Internal risks, such as heart disease and diabetes can also be minimized.
Benefits to Your Well-Being
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and exercise is a positive influencer of mood and stress management. In a series of clinical trials involving over 1,800 subjects, participants engaging with resistance training showed significantly reduced depression symptoms.
While helping improve your current lifestyle, strength training is a form of exercise that can be maintained throughout your life. In fact, maintaining strength is a healthy way to dispel age-related chronic diseases and improve longevity—even more so than cardio.
Find Your Perfect Routine
The benefits of strength training for females are undeniable. You can improve your physical performance, tone your body and increase your mental fortitude by making a slight change to your fitness efforts.
If you’re interested in including resistance training in your workout routine, but don’t want to negatively influence a previous injury, reach out to the Performance OSM team. We can help tailor a routine to your needs while supporting your fitness goals.