A Few Reasons Why Women Should Lift Weights

Picking up the dumbbells isn't just a "guy" thing anymore. More women are getting into weight lifting and feeling better for it.

Get Stronger
Increasing your strength will make you far less dependent on others for assistance in daily living. Chores will be easier, lifting kids, groceries an laundry will no longer push you to the max. If you strength is increased, daily tasks and routine exercise will be less likely to cause injury. Research studies conclude that even moderate weight training can increase a woman's strength by 30 to 50 percent. Research also shows that women can develop their strength at the same rate as men.

Decrease Body Fat
Studies performed by Dr Westcott from the YMCA in Quincy, Massachusetts found that the average woman who strength trains two to three times a week for two months will gain nearly two pounds of muscle and lose 3.5 pounds of fat. Generally speaking, for each pound of muscle you gain, you burn 35 to 50 more calories a day.

Gain Strength Without Bulk
Researchers found that women typically don't gain size from strength training because women have 10 to 30 times less of the hormones that promote muscle growth. You will develop muscle firmness and definition.

Decrease Your Risk of Osteoporosis
Weight training can increase spinal bone mineral density and enhance bone modeling by 13 percent in six months. This, coupled with an adequate amount of dietary calcium can be a good defense against osteoporosis.

Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
According to the studies of Dr. Barry Franklin of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan, weight training may improve the way the body processes sugar, which may reduce the risk of diabetes. Research indicates that weight training can increase glucose utilization in the body by 23 percent in 4 months.