All too often, women tend to fall into the trap of choosing cardio-intensive workouts over lifting weights, for fear of building “too much muscle.” Still today, this long-held belief continues to permeate the social circles of women. The end result? Many will spend hours of their precious time on cardio equipment, only to face sheer disappointment. Long, monotonous bouts of cardio will inevitably lead to muscle loss, as the body thinks this is the most ideal source of energy. However, this all changes when a solid, progressive lifting regimen is put to good use. It’s time to smash this stigma once and for all.

Before we consider just how powerful heavy lifting can be for a female, a short physiology lesson is in order. Let’s consider the reality of the female body: much lower levels of the hormone testosterone and greater levels of the hormone estrogen. Testosterone is key in muscle growth and women simply do not have enough testosterone circulating in the body to build an appreciable amount of muscle mass, as compared to their male counterparts. Yes, some women have a better genetic disposition for building more muscle and holding less fat than others, but not in the sense that they will start hulking out like a male bodybuilder.

Which one is most attractive to you?!

The Truth About Lifting Weights

The fittest female fitness models and athletes have one secret when it comes to training: they lift hard and heavy. Some secret, huh? Strength training should be the cornerstone to every woman’s workout routine. The benefits are undeniable.

So, What Will Slinging Weights Around Do For You?

• You’ll get strong fairly quickly
• You’ll burn a ton of calories and more body fat than ever before
• You’ll correct imbalances and postural issues
• You’ll strengthen your bones and connective tissue (bye, bye Osteoporosis!)
• You’ll de-stress and improve your mood
• You’ll find new confidence
• You’ll capture the attention of every howling gym bro within a 500 foot radius (okay, okay… maybe this isn’t a benefit…)

The Best Lifts are the Big Lifts

The most effective exercises are compound, multi-joint movements. This means that each of these exercises involve the use of more than one major muscle group, which allows for greater strength gains over time. Here are the exercises I recommend for both men and women, whether a novice or an advanced trainee:

Barbell Squats

Deadifts

Bench Press

Bent Over Rows

Overhead Shoulder Press

Dips

Pull-ups or Chin-ups

Each of these lifts will challenge you mentally and physically, but it will all be worth it. As you progress and get stronger, you’ll build a fit, lean, and attractive physique that you can be proud of. Train like a man and rest assured, you’ll turn heads in no time!

How to reach me.

If you’re interested in learning more from me about how you can take charge of your body and your health for good, I encourage you to check out my blog and subscribe to my newsletter. In exchange, I’ll send you cutting-edge exercise and nutrition hacks, fat-torching workouts, and recipes for meals that don’t suck. Let me help you obtain the lean body you’ve desired for so long!