Strength training for fat loss: A guide for women
Many women who are trying to shed unwanted pounds steer clear of the weight rack because of myths and misconceptions about strength training. To lose weight, many women solely do aerobic exercises like running and jumping rope, or use cardio machines like elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, and stationary bikes.
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Contrary to popular belief, strength training won't bulk up a woman's physique to massive proportions. Female bodybuilders look the way they do due to a combination of intense training, special high-calorie diets, and supplements. An average woman will not gain excessive bulk if she incorporates high-repetition strength training exercises into her exercise routine. On the contrary, strength training can build and tone lean muscle, increase bone density, burn fat, and increase endurance.
Strength training exercises can be performed anywhere: at home, at the park, or at the gym. Some choices for home workouts are:
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• Body weight exercises like squats, push-ups, and chair dips
• Resistance bands
• Kettlebells
• Dumbbells and barbells
At the gym, women will have access to a wide variety of equipment designed specifically for strength training. These include:
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• Free weights
• Cable machine
• Leg press machine
• Smith machine
• Assisted chin-ups machine
Beginners to strength training should start with simple exercises while practicing proper form to avoid strain, or worse, injury. One or two strength-training sessions per week are enough to start seeing results.
By combining strength training with cardio exercises, all while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, a leaner, healthier, stronger body can be achieved. For more articles on health and fitness, subscribe to this Slim Body Keytones blog.