Hey Women, want to get stronger? Feel confident with lifting weights? Feel proud of what your body can do?
There are a lot of misconceptions about women and weight lifting and I’d like to smash a couple of those right here.
5 WOMEN’S WEIGHT LIFTING MYTHS BUSTED
1. Women shouldn’t lift heavy weights because it is dangerous
Let’s start with the premise that anything can be dangerous if you do it incorrectly. Learning the proper method to perform weight lifting moves is the first place to start. Of course, starting with light weights and progressing at a rate of about 10-15% in weight will have you lifting heavy weights before you know it. The benefits to lifting heavy weights is muscle strength and bone density improvements.
2. Weight lifting will make you bulky and muscle bound
Putting on lots of muscle mass is hard to do. It takes a stringent diet, many many hours in the gym, and is a slow process. Your genetics will help drive how much muscle “bulk” you are able to add and for most women that is never a concern for the amount of time we spend lifting weights.
3. Women can’t lose weight through weight lifting
The more muscle you have, the more calories you need to support your body. So putting on muscle will usually speed up your metabolism and you’ll burn more calories! WIN – WIN!
4. Women don’t really need to lift weights
Everyone can benefit from lifting weights. Why? Think of your skeleton as your support structure and your muscles as the pulleys that move your bones. When your pulleys are weak, your bones can become weak, your joints can ache, and you become more injury prone because your muscles are not stabilizing your body. Lifting weights is your insurance that your body is strong and ready to do all the things you enjoy in life. Being strong feels good!
5. Weight lifting is scary and intimidating
Walking into a gym for the first time can be intimidating indeed. When you don’t know what to do or how to do it, you don’t want to embarrass yourself. We understand this! That is why it is important to have a coach who will spot your form, guide you on the appropriate weights to use, and show you the exercises that will be the most beneficial for you.
We are offering a 4 week long “Weight Training for Women” Clinic this summer. We want to help you eliminate fear of the gym and be confident every time you workout.
The Weight Training for Women Clinic meets 2X per week on Mondays & Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 pm. There are 2 session dates to choose from: June 26- July 19 or July 24 – August 16.
There are a max of 10 women per clinic and you’ll get to learn from one of the smartest coaches I know, Julie Taylor. She is joining our Fitness Team in early June and I look forward for your to meet her.
~Robin
PS – with my replaced knees, weight training is more important than every to keep my knees strong and supported. I would not have the pain free knees I have now without my time in the gym.
