by Katarzyna Radzka

Created on: May 20, 2009

Women continue to be under the impression that resistance training will lead to muscle growth. This is not the case. Our bodies are not composed in the same way as men, and therefore we are incapable of growing muscle like men even if they were to train with weights every day. In fact, it's much harder for women to build muscle even if they are training regularly.

What is resistance training?

Resistance training is using weights, elastic bands or your own body weight to build your muscle and strength using weights, elastic bands, water bottles and your own body weight to force your muscles to contract. You can do it at the gym, in the park or in the comfort of your own home.

Why is resistance training important?

As we age our muscle composition diminishes which results in the flabby arm and butt syndrome. By regularly doing resistance training in the form of push ups, dips, squats, lunges and even bench press or pull ups, we are increasing our muscle composition and preventing the flabby syndrome from occurring.

Muscles are required to assist us in every day activities from eating and sleeping to opening the door and washing our hair. Having weak muscles will cause difficulty with the simplest of tasks, like carrying the shopping from the car to the kitchen, running after your children, lifting a heavy object. Without good muscle strength you are likely to end up with an injury from many every day activities.

Why is resistance training important for women?

According to sources, resistance training is important for the building of bone density, muscle strength and power, decreases heart problems and blood pressure as well as reduces the risk of many diseases like diabetes and arthritis. Many women lead sedentary lives which may result in the thickening of blood, resistance exercise improves circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots and in some cases it has been known to prevent, and even reduce osteoporosis.

If these health benefits are not enough, then there's also the vanity argument. With regular resistance training mixed with cardiovascular activity, you will look and feel younger for longer. Resistance training will improve your every day health and it will make you feel more confident about yourself.

The best thing about resistance training is it's always a good time to start. It doesn't matter whether you are 18 or 80, within twelve weeks of training three times a week, you will see noticeable changes in your appearance and your overall well-being.

REFERENCES

Better Health Channel

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles .nsf/pages/Resistance_training?OpenDocument

Medicinenet.com

http://www.medicinenet.com/weight_lifting/article.ht m

Women's Heart Foundation

http://www.womensheart.org/content/Exercise/strength _training.asp

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