WHY WEIGHTS?

For years, women have stayed out of the weights room due to a fear of bulking up, but now we are rewriting this narrative. I have been weightlifting for a few years now and it has definitely changed my life and how I view wellness. If you are sick and tired of HIIT classes and endless hours of cardio but are still questioning why weightlifting is the new ‘thing,’ this article is for you. I will walk you through not only the benefits of weightlifting but the specific benefits for women and even more specifically teenage girls. I can promise you will want to be at the next Girls Who Lift session by the end of this read. 

Historically, girls have avoided the weights room, or more specifically lifting heavy weights out of fear they would look ‘bulky’. Many women chased after a ‘toned’ look through HIIT classes or long runs; only leaving them more exhausted and inflamed afterwards. With the new information hitting the media we have realized that the best way to get toned is to build muscle, and how does one do that… with weights!! In a new era of GLP-1s the strongest women who want what is best for their health have turned to building muscle and building healthy bodies. 

Overall Health Benefits

Weightlifting has so many benefits not only for women but for EVERYBODY. Yes your mum, you grandfather, your teachers, and definitely you! The list goes on of all of the benefits but I will explain some here. 

• Increased Basal Metabolic Rate: building more muscle in the gym increases your BMR, meaning that at rest your body will burn more calories. 

• Overall Strength Gain: increasing your strength by building your muscles in the gym helps you not only with your current daily activities such as sports, carrying heavy items, etc. But, it will help you for your entire life when you want to carry your groceries or play with your grandchildren. 

• Improved Mental Health: it has been proven that exercise is one of the strongest ways to support good mental health. The release of endorphins is extremely beneficial to regulate mood, reduce stress and anxiety, sharpen memory and focus, etc.

• Injury Prevention: strengthening our muscles and joints is so important for reduced injury risk in daily lives and sports. 

  

  
  

Specific Benefits for Women

These are all incredible benefits, but there are even more reasons that are specific to women and why women specifically should be in the gym!

• Bone Health: After age 30, women’s bones degenerate with this process rapidly speeding up after menopause (around 45-55). Weight training from a younger age can strengthen your bones, meaning as you age you will not be as weak and can still function at a higher level! Your teenage years are your optimal years to build bone density, we must take advantage of this time in our lives!!

• Body Composition: contrary to popular belief that lifting heavy makes you bulky (it doesn’t)! Lifting heavy weights can actually contribute to that ‘toned’ look that many women seek to achieve. By lifting weights, you are enhancing your lean body mass which is crucial in having a toned body. 

• Hormonal Balance: Lifting weights can regulate our hormones and lead to more overall energy through the increase in testosterone that comes with building muscle. 

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If you are now convinced you need to get into the weights room (which you should be), but feel overwhelmed with where to start, don’t panic. The key is to not overcomplaicate things: start with dumbbell exercises that you can find on my website. Or… come to a Girl Who Lift class, you can find my schedule here. If you have any questions, don’t be show to reach out. 

More Tips

• start small, start somewhere (resistance bands, lighter weights, etc.)

• use a fitness tracker in order to track your workouts, personally I love the Oura Ring

Final Thoughts

Everyone should be lifting weights, there's no reasons not to!