FIVE Reasons Why Women Should Lift Weights
There’s about 5,000 reasons why women should lift weights, but today I am giving you my top five:
Build Muscle Mass! Here’s why that’s important- the more muscle you have the higher your BMR (basal metabolic rate- basically how many calories you burn at rest). So, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.
Have you ever stepped off a curb wrong, rolled your ankle, and been out of commission for weeks? Or have nagging joint or knee pain? Lifting weights not only builds stronger muscles, but also builds stronger connective tissue. AND, it increases your joint stability. This is crucial because they act as a reinforcement for your joints and helps to prevent injury.
Lifting weights strengthens your bones! Osteoporosis is the decrease in bone density that weakens the bone structure. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. WOMEN are four times MORE LIKELY to develop this than men. One way to increase bone density is to repeatedly use greater loads on the bone. This can be achieved through resistance training (lifting!). New formation of the bone develops on the bone’s outer surface which creates stronger bones that are less likely to fracture. Bone loss speeds up after menopause because the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Because of bone and muscle loss, post menopausal women should continue strength training.
Are you over the age of 30? After most women reach the age of 30, muscle density starts to decrease. Lean body mass (the muscles on your body) can decrease 15% between the ages of 30 and 80. This loss usually goes hand in hand with overall strength. Which, in turn, affects your day to day life: lifting things, getting out of bed, being tired more often, carrying things upstairs, ALLL the functional things in life we do in our life that require movement. While there are so many things out there that claim to be anti-aging, lifting is probably the best one!
The benefits of lifting become even more profound as you age! The difference between a SEDENTARY 25 year old and an ACTIVE 25 year old is their abilities. BUT, the difference at 70?? Cognitive function, grip strength, bone strength, and independence. Lifting weights 2-4 times of week can literally change the course of your life.
So, grab some weights and get to work!