(ThyBlackMan.com) An immeasurable amount of articles, books and studies have been devoted to the benefits of weight lifting for women. Yet women still harbor a fear of lifting weights. Why? Most of it has to do with the perception of the results of slinging weights in the gym: Weights make you bulky. You look like a man. Lifting weights makes my shoulders too big. The list goes on and on. Most of it is false innuendo, spread by people who’ve only heard and passed on what others say.
The truth is there are more benefits than not for lifting weights when it comes to the woman’s physique and, even more, for her mental and psychological acuity. Here are three benefits (among many) of weight lifting for women.
Improves Heart Health
A study published in October 2018 in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports Exercise provides evidence that even a little weight training may reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. A strong 
heart muscle makes for a strong, health-inducing life with lesser the probability of a fatal heart attack or debilitating stroke! And get this: the same study points to the greatest gain with the least amount of effort – people who lifted at least one time per week showed the greatest decline in risk for heart attack or stroke!
This is important because more women than men die of heart disease in America, although men have a greater risk. This discrepancy alone is probably the X factor as to why women should lift weights.
Heart disease begins with a sedentary lifestyle and progresses as the body muscle system – including the heart muscle – begins to lessen in its capacity to ward off weakening of the body human.
Increases Overall Body Strength
Forget the cut physique and six pack most women yearn for – lifting weights makes your body stronger to meet the physical demands of your environment. As the body ages, it weakens. Lifting weights acts as a deterrent to this weakening of the body. Lifting weights increases your body strength for just even daily activities like climbing the stairs at work; for performing house chores and for taking your kids or grandkids to the park.
Most notably, lifting weights gets and keeps your body strong as you age, making you less susceptible to falls.
Note: focus your weight lifting on the larger muscle groups such as legs, back and chest (also known as ‘compound’ muscle groups); working these muscles generate the best results in terms of weight loss and building strength.
Positive Mental Effects
Lifting weights in the gym is much like the challenges we face in life. We all have our unique obstacles; financial pressures always lurk; our children need attention and not to mention the demands of the job.
When you position yourself in front of that squat rack (or bench press or dead lift) face to face, with two forty-five pound plates on each side, you are facing the challenge both physically and mentally. You are saying to that squat rack – and to your obstacle– you can’t beat me! Lifting weights gives you that can-do feeling of overcoming.
Lifting weights can bring a multitude of positive benefits for women. I’ve only listed a few. There are not many downsides to weight lifting for any of the sexes.
It’s always important to check with your doctor before you launch any type of physical fitness program.
Get in the gym and hit those weights, sisters!
Staff Writer; W. Eric Croomes
This talented brother is a holistic lifestyle exercise expert and founder and executive coach of Infinite Strategies LLC, a multi-level coaching firm that develops and executes strategies for fitness training, youth achievement and lifestyle management. Eric is an author, fitness professional, holistic life coach and motivational speaker.
In October 2015, Eric released Life’s A Gym: Seven Fitness Principles to Get the Best of Both, which shows readers how to use exercise to attract a feeling of wellness, success and freedom (Infinite Strategies Coaching LLC, 2015) – http://www.infinitestrategiescoaching.com.
This content was originally published here.
