Why Should Women Use Real Weights?

Angela used to ask the same question. She was a member of a women’s fitness center that used hydraulic equipment, and she enjoyed their fast circuit workout. Then within four months, Angela had “hit a wall” and found she was no longer progressing. “I realized I needed more,” she explains. Angela was not able to move past the plateau until she moved to Contours Express

So there’s an advantage of weight-bearing equiment over hydraulics? Sure - you’ll look and feel great! But studies have shown that there are lots of other advantages for women’s health! Here are just a few:

Real weights help prevent osteoporosis and arthritis.

Studies have shown that proper weight training can prevent and even reverse osteoporosis and arthritis!

Osteoporosis is a bone-weakening disease that develops gradually and makes bones so fragile that they fracture with regular use. Roughly 25 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from this disease.

Luckily, weight-bearing activities at any age benefit bone health for many reasons. First, weight-bearing exercise can increase bone density. When a muscle bears weight, it pulls on the bone, triggering a chemical reaction within the bone which causes it to become denser. Second, it strengthens muscles that in turn pull or tug on bones, which keeps bones strong. Third, it improves your strength, balance, and coordination - all of which help reduce your risk of falls and bone injuries.

Real weights help increase metabolism and fight obesity.

Lean tissue is the only place in your body where fat is burned. Lean tissue is responsible for producing glutamine, a major fuel source for your immune system. And lean tissue only develops when your muscles are presented with a weight that is challenging.

If you’re a woman middle-aged or older, strength training can be a real plus. It keeps working for you long after your workout is over by increasing your metabolism, and it can help ward off the metabolic slowdown that keeps the pounds in place!

Real weights help fight heart disease.

Strength training is important for cardiac health because heart disease risk is lower when the body is leaner. One study found that cardiac patients gained not only strength and flexibility, but also aerobic capacity when they did strength training three times a week as part of their rehabilitation program. This and other studies have prompted the American Heart Association to recommend strength training as a way to reduce risk of heart disease and as a therapy for patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Real weights help reduce your risk for diabetes.

Research has shown that strength training can increase glucose utilization in the body, thereby decreasing sugar in the blood.

Additionally, strength training has been proven to improve glucose control in diabetics. Strength training, when done correctly, has been shown to provide a safe and effective way to help control blood glucose, increase strength, and improve the quality of life in individuals with diabetes.

Real weights help prevent injury.

Strength training helps to improve balance, flexibility, mobility, and stability. A wide variety of sports-related or life-related injuries can be prevented by strengthening muscles or joints. Stronger and more resilient muscles improve your balance, which means more comfortable living and fewer falls or accidents.

Real weights help you feel better about yourself!

A Harvard study found that 10 weeks of strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms more successfully than standard counseling did. Women who strength train commonly report feeling more confident and capable as a result of their program.

The best part is you can get started today! For more information, just stop by your local Contours Express.