by Ethel Smith

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2008

STRENGTH TRAINING.

Strength training does not have to leave a woman feeling and looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I know we have all seen women who have taken such training to the extreme and most of us would never want to look like that. However building up your strength is just as important for women as it is for men. It is a fact that it can improve your overall health much more than you may initially realise. Here are some of the benefits of successful strength training.

IMPROVED APPEARANCE.

This is usually high on most women's wish lists. By exercising and building up your strength your whole body will look and feel more toned. In time your body will carry less fat and have a more well defined shape. Such exercise benefits your mental well being also and helps to give you a feel good factor.

STRONG BONES.

With age many women start to suffer from Osteoporosis or brittle bones. Taking regular weight bearing exercise can help build up your bone's density and prevent problems in later life. If you follow a calcium rich diet and take regular strength training exercises you will be doing yourself a big favour.

WEIGHT LOSS

The increase in the rate of your metabolism, which strength training exercises can do, will mean that your body works much more efficiently at burning calories.

A BETTER BODY

As your strength increases you will find that your body reaches a peak of fitness. A stronger body will be much less prone to injury and this is a real bonus as we are getting older.

A GOOD HEART

All exercise helps improve our circulation and benefits our heart. With strength training your cardiovascular system will start to work at it's best and reduce your risk of heart disease.

GAINING MUSCLE

If you do not overdo your strength training you should gain lean muscle, which will help with your ability to do most physical tasks in life, plus your body will burn off more calories with little or no effort.

OVERALL

It is never too soon or too late to start a sensible strength training exercise programme. Whatever age a woman is, such a programme can be beneficial. It can aid weight loss, improve body shape, improve posture, improve balance, benefit your heart, help you to feel good and keep you feeling young and fit. This is perhaps the biggest bonus of all. After all if we can age well, naturally, we will be able to embrace the changes which life thrusts upon us as we live our lives.

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