Women And Weight Training – Getting Started

Many women overlook strength training as a method of personal fitness. However, it is a great option for women who are trying to build muscle mass as well as keeping your bones strong and healthy. Below, you will find some great tips in which you can use to build a strength training program that will work well for you.

Do not simply focus on weight training. Add high intensity cardio into your routine. This will help you work out your cardio system while developing your muscles. An aerobics class or spinning class could be the perfect addition to your weights.

Hit the weights about three times each week. You do not want to lift every day of the week. You need to allow your muscles to heal between each weight lifting session. Spending thirty minutes to an hour lifting weights every other day is plenty of time to get yourself into good shape.

Do not hit the gym with the hopes of going all out right from the start. Begin small and work your way up to a full workout routine. Keep the weight that you are lifting low and slowly develop your muscles to the point in which they can handle the additional weight. Starting out too heavy could cause you to damage your muscles and actually slow your progress.

Before you lift anything or do any exercises, spend an adequate amount of time warming up. Stretch your muscles and run a mile or two on the treadmill. The better you prepare your muscles for the workout you are about to give them, the better they will be able to handle what they are about to go through. This will also help prevent injury during workouts.

Some women are concerned about “bulking up” through weight training. You do not have to worry about developing the muscles that body builders do. It takes a great deal of hard work, constantly hitting the weights and many supplements to build the muscle that you see in body building competitions.

Do not neglect any of your muscle groups. Each group is equally as important as the others. Many people make the mistake of working the larger muscles while neglecting the smaller ones. This could lead to injury as well as leave some of the areas of your body looking soft.

Hire a personal trainer to get you started. If you are the least bit unsure about the proper way to lift weights, look into hiring a personal trainer. They will be able to help you develop a routine that you will eventually be able to do on your own. This trainer will teach you the best way to warm up, stretch your muscles and the proper way to lift the weights while working out. If you are spending hours lifting weights in the wrong way, you will likely do more damage than good.

Weight training could be just what your body needs to develop the muscles and give you that toned look that many women want. Begin working slowly today, and by this time next year, you will look your best.