Let’s face it, we all want to be fit, but to get fit, you need to lift weights. It’s time to learn about the benefits of strength training and get on a training plan. The myth that weightlifting makes you bulky or turns you into a she-hulk has been busted time and time again. Weightlifting can give you confidence, higher self-esteem and a healthy, banging body.

How do I know? Six years ago, I was a pudgy mom and wife. I’d always been active, but for me, that meant playing with my daughter or participating in a fun game of softball with the family. I even made going to the gym a consistent habit and lead group fitness classes. So I couldn’t understand why I didn’t have the lean, athletic, feminine body I longed for.

Three years ago, I decided to start competing in bikini fitness. This opened my eyes to a whole new world. I have a more desirable physique in my 30s then I did in my 20s, and I feel better about myself in every conceivable way.

I am so blessed to coach and inspire many people who appreciate and engage in regular strength training. But I have to be honest, there are still a lot of myths and misunderstandings surrounding women and weight training.

But before we go into busting those myths, let’s talk about the benefits that weight lifting can provide.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING STRONG

Muscles and metabolism: First, and most important, is the effect that weight lifting has on weight loss. The more muscle you have, the more calories you can burn while at rest. Having muscles speeds up your metabolism, and ultimately, results in more effective fat loss.

Healthy Bones: Did you know that lifting weights can increase your bone density? Many studies have proven this fact. Most of the time, when we are young, we don’t think about our bone density. But, as we get older, we need to pay more attention to it. If you start lifting now, you will be so thankful that you took care of your bone density and helped prevent health risks in the future.

Being independent: When you are strong, everything is a little bit easier. Carrying groceries or moving furniture isn’t such a daunting task anymore. I remember when I realized how important my strength was. I had to basically rearrange my whole house, and with my time frame, I couldn’t get help. I remember feeling so accomplished and proud that I performed the task alone and in such a timely manner.

Confidence: There is just something about strong women. Strong women exude a confidence that is intoxicating. I believe confidence comes from the knowledge that you can complete some pretty impressive feats at the gym. Once you start to realize your outer strength, you will then tap into your inner strength and that begins to radiate around you. Confidence is such an attractive quality, and the confidence you get from the gym will start to leak into every aspect of life.  If you can kill it in the gym, you can kill it in life.

Why won’t I get bulky?

Our Hormones: Most women simply do not possess the levels of testosterone necessary to even support a bulky physique. And, any woman who has a massively muscular physique is most likely supplementing with hormones. Yes, we all have different genetics, and some of us are prone to having more muscle density than others, but you still have to train for bulk and supplement for bulk in order to get bulky. Ask any bodybuilder, and they will all say that gaining muscle isn’t easy at all. You cannot turn into a she-hulk because you did squats, but you will have an amazing backside.

Different Training: Along with genetics, the way you train will determine how your body will develop.  Increased bulk is not as easy as most people think, and bodybuilders work incredibly hard to make sure their program supports the maximum muscle growth they want to achieve. The key is not only to utilize as many compound combinations of full body movements as possible but to have good diet. A bulking diet will look a lot different than solid nutritional protocol for women on a fat loss program. The bottom line is, the way you eat and train will determine how your body develops. A full-body training program and a diet that is rich in proteins, veggies, and healthy fats is the most effective path toward fat loss and strength for most women.

So now what?

Maybe I’ve convinced you to toss your three-pound weights, stop doing only cardio, and give this whole strength training thing a shot. Where would you begin? I have a program that is a great place for beginners to start realizing their strength potential and seeing the body transformation they desire. Come see me, and let’s get after it!!!