By Russ Hollywood
If you are a lady trying to achieve a leaner, toned physique in the gym there is probably one question you have been dying to ask a trainer - Should women lift weights? Today you will get your answer. We will also reveal what supplements to take to maximize your results in your local gym.
The world of exercise and fitness has moved forward incredibly quickly over the last twenty years. Every year there are new developments in sports supplements and training methods, as well as new scientific research on previously unproven theories. It's barely the same world we lived in just 20 yeas ago. Yet despite all of this, there are many people who still have the same mentality which was floating around health clubs and gyms two decades ago.
They'll tell you that you should stay away from protein powder because it will damage your kidneys. They'll lead to you believe you need to spend two hours per day on a treadmill to lose weight. They'll also have you believing that ladies need to stick to lifting pink, fluffy dumbbells for hundreds of repetitions to tone up. One thing is common in these individuals, and that is a lack of results. []
Thanks to the ongoing scientific research which is carried out many of the old wives tales about fitness have been confined to the 'myths' category. Unfortunately, there are so many people who are still stuck in those old ways that the new research tends to go unnoticed by the majority.
Contrary to what you may have been told in the past, lifting weights is excellent for losing fat. Furthermore, if you aspire to achieve a lean, ripped body then they are a vital part of your training program.
But won't you get big and bulky like a bodybuilder?
Actually, you don't even need to be concerned about this issue. You see, obtaining a bodybuilding physique is a lifestyle that requires a 24 hour dedication every day. You cannot do it by simply picking up some weights and you cannot do it by accident. Otherwise, all your male friends would look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lifting is a crucial aspect of your training regimen if you desire to achieve the lean, ripped look shown by many of the female athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games.
One of the main reasons why females do not need to worry about packing on serious muscle mass is the relatively small amounts of testosterone contained within their bodies. This also lays to waste the myth that ladies must adhere to 20 or more reps per set. If you want to become stronger and leaner then you ideally should be lifting weights which push you to your limits, rather than being afraid of them.
If you can work on developing a good technique with the major compound exercises, such as deadlifts, lat pulldowns and squats, you will notice excellent physical results.
Supplements are often over complicated but in truth the key is in the name. It is there to supplement a good diet and exercise program, not replace it. So keep things simple with a good whey protein product and possibly a creatine monohydrate to boost explosive strength when you train.
Knowing what supplements to take can become tricky due to the amount of hype out there, so the best advice is to simply get a solid diet in place and then keep things simple. Not only do you now know the answer to the age old question 'Should women lift weights or not?', you are now in a position to help others get to the bottom of this popular fitness myth.
