Who wants to bring a whole new meaning to the phrase “Girl power?”
Ladies, take all those myths about weight training and throw them away. We all waste hours on that evil treadmill and dreaded elliptical to be disappointed by stagnant results.
To really achieve those toned bodies we all aspired to have, you only need to add one element to your workout regimen: weights.
“WHAT?!? WEIGHTS?! DO YOU WANT ME TO LOOK LIKE A MUSCLEY BRUTISH MAN CASSIDY? “ you say, but hear me out. I’m not talking about bench pressing 150-plus pounds or doing squats for days, but using weight resistance along with cardio to build up lean muscle.
According to Women’s Health Magazine, only 21 percent of women strength train two or more times per week. Weight training burns more fat overall than cardio alone, and continues to burn for up to 36 hours after the workout ends.
The belief that women will bulk up by lifting weights is completely false. Unless you purposefully take excessive amounts of protein supplements and follow bodybuilding tips on twitter, it is unlikely you will build those huge biceps. Women simply do not have the same bodily make-up as men to make them bulk as easily.
To start off easy, try to emphasize total body workouts instead of focusing on one problem area, such as abs. Working out other muscles will build core strength and give you those elusive abs that solely crunches will not. Take a total body class at Southwest once a week for two months and remark at the results. Or if those simply do not fit into your schedule, there are plenty of arm and leg weight workout phone apps available. Pinterest is also a great resource.
My go-to leg workouts are some squats, lunges, calf raises, and step-ups all with weights in hand. For arms (my weakness) I attempt bench press, and then do bicep curls, shoulder presses, lateral raises, and reverse flies with 10 lbs.
Secret fat burners that save time are exercises that utilize more than one muscle at a time such as tricep dips with leg extensions. As they work both legs and arms, they will blast away that fat and leave you toned all over.
So next time you hit Southwest and are tempted to only venture upstairs to what I call the “safety zone” for girls, get in that weight room and work those muscles! Girl power!
