Nov 15 - Written By Gabby Goodbrand

Why is Strength Training for Women So Important? | South Surrey’s Gym for Women

How often do you think to yourself, “I just want to lose weight and look toned?”

All too often, women think they must do hours of cardio exercise each week to burn the unwanted fat, and they think that weight lifting will make them look bulky.

However, strength training is a critical part of both losing weight and gaining the muscle you need to get that “toned” look. Unfortunately, a lot of women believe that if they lift heavy weights they will bulk up like a body builder.

That’s simply not true. In fact, those “bulky” women go above and beyond to optimize their bodies to gain muscle mass and burn all traces of body fat. They are athletes who train for that specific look. Yes, they lift heavy weights, but they also have very specific dietary and training needs to meet the competition standards.

For the average woman, strength training won’t make you bulky. It will actually give you the muscle definition that you’ve been craving. Strength is the body’s ability to overcome resistance.

“Over the last 7 weeks, I've become a bit addicted to in-person workouts, going from two to four weekly. I don't even recognize the person I've become. I love the feeling I get at the end of a class, knowing I gave it my all. It's also been so satisfying pushing past beliefs I once held. ("Those weights are too heavy." "I can not do push ups.")”

~ Jenn

Did you know, strength training exercises actually burn more calories? Weight training builds muscles, muscles can burn up to three times more calories than fat burns, and those calories continue to burn for 24-48 hours after your workout sesh. *mind blown*

Strength training has many additional benefits that you may be missing out on if you’re not incorporating it into your health and fitness routine.

JUST TO NAME A FEW:

✔️ improved heart health

✔️ improved bone density

✔️ improved flexibility and mobility

✔️ better mental health

✔️ reduced risk of chronic disease

Strength training not only builds muscles, it also strengthens your arteries which pump blood throughout your body. This helps build strength in your heart and thus reduces the risk of heart attacks. Additionally, using body weight and lifting weights can help build bone density. By placing stress on bones through strength training, it encourages cells to repair those bones making them stronger and more dense.

To see these strength training benefits, you don’t need to start squatting with a 150lb barbell or pressing 100lbs. Many of the women at our South Surrey gym start with 5 to 10lbs as they work to perfect their form and build up strength. As a matter of fact, in our Barre Fit classes we use 1 to 2lb weights to target specific muscles to feel the burn. Body weight exercises are also important as you start your strength training program.

STRENGTH TRAINING WILL EMPOWER YOU TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Our trainers at Goodbrand Fitness are specialized in weight training and will help you make the progressions you need. They will ensure that you are using proper techniques to prevent injury and will challenge you to lift heavier when they know you’re ready.

At our ladies-only gym in South Surrey, we offer strength training classes as well as bootcamp, Tabata, Power Hour, and HIIT classes which also include weight lifting components. Join us for a FREE trial class!

I’m telling ya, girl, it’s time to pick up the weights!