For many, the first step in a fitness program to support weight loss is to hop on a treadmill or go for a run in the park. You build up enough sweat and then maybe finish with stretches to finish your workout. As time goes by, that stubborn weight doesn’t come off. We think it’s more cardio, longer runs, more time on the treadmill. We could even switch machines from the treadmill to the stair climber or elliptical to change up the routine. We have never considered the importance of weight training or resistance training to support weight loss.
Many people (women) are afraid of lifting weights because they think they will gain muscle and get bulky. You know, there was a time when we thought the world was flat and if you sailed to the edge of the horizon, you would fall off the edge of the earth. As we now know, that is not the truth. The same can be said about resistance training for women. Fortunately, resistance training is becoming more and more accepted among women for its benefits.
Why resistance training?
Because resistance training is one, if not the best way to put muscle on your body. Muscle, it is metabolically active. Which means that muscle needs energy in the form of calories to stay in the body. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more potential to burn calories. In turn, you will burn more body fat.
If you still have doubts, think of it this way. It is very difficult for women to build bulky, blocky muscles because women do not have the same amount of muscle-building hormones (testosterone, androgens, IGF-1) as men. However, when you train you have dormant muscle fibers that are reactivated when you do resistance training. Think of those fibers as a blazing furnace of calories when activated.
And for this reason it is important to perform resistance training to support weight loss. Not to mention it defines your body, like slim arms and sleek, sexy thighs. There are many benefits, but the most important thing to consider to get started.
Josue