Will lifting make a woman look like a man?
Image captured by Shida Pourlofti for How Are You Magazine, Melbourne.
Lifting weights will NOT make a woman "look like a man"
Happy December month all! As we head into the silly season, you can look forward to lots of festive season workout and nutrition tips from me. Make sure you check out the Fitness To A Tee social media pages e.g. this super popular Gym Arms Workout video from Wednesday 1 December 2021.
Today I'm chatting about one of the most popular questions I still get asked since I started as a fitness trainer in 2013. Answer - NO. It would take alot (maybe even a few "unnatural items") to look like a man if you lift boo. Us ladies just don't have the amount of the hormone testosterone, needed to "bulk up" to a man's level.
When I'm talking about "lifting" I'm referring to resistance based training, including the variety of weighted equipment out there such as dumbbells, barbells, weighted plates, kettlebells, sandbags etc.
It's important to note that best results are achieved with weights when you have good nutrition. Achieving any health or body goal is made up of at least 80% nutrition, 20% exercise.
My top 5 reasons why ladies should lift/use weights
Help you age backwards yass!
I started using weights at age 19 and if anything - weights are definitely one of my "top weapons" for looking younger than my 41 years.
One of the main reasons why it helps with you looking younger is because when you build muscle (or tone up), you have less fatty tissue between the skin and muscle, so your skin looks smoother and tighter. Pair this with consistent, healthy nutrition and you'll shave off at least 5 years from your face/body plus be able to shake your knees on the dance floor like a hot cake, past age 40 woop!
2. Shapes your body to a tee
As you consistently use weights, you build muscle and lose body fat. This helps to show the definition on your body or shaping of your desired areas e.g. as you lose excess body fat from your abdominals - your tummy will look flatter and more toned.
3. Fat keeps burning
Your metabolic rate increases after weight training, meaning you burn more calories and fat even after you've stopped your session.
Hmmm...that's a win win win win win…(you get it right?)
4. Stronger bones + better mobility
Lifting = stronger bones, which reduces the risk of e.g. osteoporosis for women. Healthier bones mean better mobility and less risk of injuries - leading to a more enjoyable, sustainable quality of life.
5. Endless variety
I'm someone who gets bored easily but I've been able to keep using weights because if the variety involved. Here are some of the ways I keep it "exciting".
Using different types of weighted equipment e.g. dumbbells, kettlebells, plates, cable machine, sandbags, medicine balls etc.
Doing different rep ranges eg I recently introduced 1 + ¼ rep ranges to some of my exercises to keep my body guessing at age 41.
Using different training methods with the weights eg doing weights based tabata, cardio, failure sets, slowed down reps etc.
There are so many more reasons I have for you to lift weights, but I could write all day. If you have any questions about weights, contact me here and ask me your questions.
Ladies, get prepared to be fitter in 2022 and sign on to the customised #fitnesstoatee 4 weeks Healthy Foundation plan. You can start this plan in the second week of January 2022.
To book a free 30 minutes consult with me to chat about your goals and how I can help you - click here now!
Pssst...check out this Gym Arms Workout with some great moves to tone your arms yass!