Ladies, if you’re looking to spice up your workout regimen, strength training might be just what you need. Cardio can effectively burn calories and boost your endurance, but strength training can help you take your fitness to the next level. Before you delve into a new workout program, take a moment to learn about the benefits of strength training for women, common misconceptions, and the equipment needed for an effective workout. 

Benefits

Strength training builds your fitness in a number of ways. First, your muscles will grow stronger, allowing you to engage in harder exercises. You’ll notice a change in your daily life as well; carrying heavy items and going up the stairs will become easier. Over time, your body will become more flexible. This can help you avoid injury when exercising or even just going about your normal day. Strength training is also great for weight loss goals. Muscle requires more energy to sustain itself than fat does; even when you’re at rest, your growing muscles will use up more calories.

In addition, strength training can give you some benefits that are not easily seen. For example, improving your fitness can help you build your self-confidence. After reaching a new fitness goal, you’ll feel inspired and accomplished. This feeling can translate into your daily life, helping you to reach new heights in your personal goals. Frequent exercise can even give you a mental boost to help you feel more positive.

Although strength training may seem intimidating, it’s never too late to start. While your results won’t show up overnight, you will begin to see a change in how you look and how you feel if you keep up with your routine.

Common Misconceptions

One of the most common misconceptions about strength training for women is that it can lead to bulking up. This misconception continues to abound due to fitness magazine covers plastered with women who have bulky physiques. However, it’s important for those just starting out with their own strength training program to realize that reaching that level of bulk takes years of dedication, hours of training, and specialized diets. Lifting weights a few times a week will not turn you into the She-Hulk.

In addition, some women start a strength-training program under the belief that they can target specific areas of their body to tone and shape. For example, if you’re interested in having a flatter stomach, you might think that doing crunches over and over again will help shape that area. Although crunches will strengthen your abdominal muscles, exercising your stomach won’t magically make the fat disappear. Strength training should be undertaken as a way to build muscle throughout your entire body, not as a way to focus on just one part.

Tips for Getting Started

When you’re ready to start your strength-training program, don’t get overly excited and use the biggest weight you can find. Starting slowly will help you build up your strength without injuring yourself. Learn proper lifting form by watching videos, taking a class, or investing in a session with a personal trainer. This will also help you avoid injuries.

Next, set a schedule for your strength training that you can stick to. After all, if you only lift weights once every few weeks, you won’t make much progress. Start with a simple schedule, such as two days a week, and add more as you progress. However, as you gain fitness and adopt a more strenuous exercise routine, don’t neglect rest days, which give your body time to recover.

Equipment to Use

Strength training for women does not require a lengthy list of expensive exercise equipment. A pair of dumbbells is a good starting point. Buying a set of dumbbells with removable weights will let you change the weight you want to lift as you gain strength.

Resistance bands are another effective tool that won’t cost much money. You can use these bands in a number of different positions in order to target specific muscles. In addition, stability balls can be used to strengthen your abdominal muscles, and you can incorporate them into other exercises to improve your flexibility.

Barbells are also a great choice for anyone serious about strength training. They let you customize your routine, so you can add more weight as you grow stronger. Pair barbells with a bench to add more potential positions to your routine. Finally, if you have the room in your house for a dedicated gym, you can also opt for a variety of other fitness fixtures for strength training, including weight machines, cable machines, and pull-up bars.

If you’re looking to purchase strength-training equipment, Fitness Gallery is here to help. We handpick each piece of fitness equipment sold in our stores, so you know that you’re getting high-quality products at a great value. Plus, we have top-of-the-line used equipment for those on a budget. To learn more, please visit our online store, or stop by our showrooms in Denver (CO) or Highlands Ranch (CO). Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect equipment for your fitness goals.