Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Women and Weight Training

When women come to see me at my private training studios, one of the most common goals requested is weight loss and toning. I then proceed to inform them a good majority of the workouts will need to consist of weight training. This never fails produce a concerned look on their face shortly followed by “but I don’t want to bulk up or be like a body builder, I just want to tone up”.
And this is where I have to then discuss how training to get a toned figure works and what is needed, followed by a whole load of reassurance promising them they will not and cannot become big bulky looking body builders.


This is a common perception with women, thinking there will be a masculine figure created through doing weight training. This could not be any further from the truth and if you are a woman reading this blog and share this perception, please let me put your mind at ease and establish a few facts:

1. Testosterone – Women produce higher amounts to Estrogen and low amounts of Testosterone (Key hormone for building muscles). Even men who produce far more testosterone will still find it challenging to naturally build bigger muscles when focusing on intense body building routines. So don’t worry you are not going to look like a man!

2. Toned Figure – In order to start seeing lines of tone all over your body, you will undoubtedly need to start weight training to stimulate your muscles. Although this can also be done through body weight exercises, using weights has a great effect within a shorter space of time and is actually easier for women to do. Most women struggle to push & pull their own body weight so this is where weight training offers a great solution.

3. Losing fat – Utilising weight training for toning is one of the most effective ways to lose the fat from around your body. Your calorie expenditure can be high during workouts and the effect on your metabolism will continue days after the workout allowing you to naturally burn more calories when resting.

4. Weight training is not body building – Although a body building approach is absolutely fine in aiding you to tone up, this doesn't mean you have to do body building style training. Weight training basically means moving around holding onto weights, this can be doing a variety of different lunges & reaches, squat & reaches and different dead-lift style patterns and so on. Using weights whilst standing on your feet is a tough and highly effective way to quickly tone your body. Have a look at our YouTube Channel to give you an idea of some of the things you can do. 

If you’re looking to lose weight and tone up then get weight training and stop worry about becoming a man... this simply will not happen! The likely result (so long as you diet right and train well) will be one of more lean and slender look with cuts and lines all over your body. If you neglect the weights you will probably never achieve the nice toned figure you are looking for.

If you want more help, guidance and just general motivation then follow us on social media Twitter @PTElite_ and Facebook or if you want information on personal training at our private training studios for Liverpool and Wirral simply contact us on 0151 668 0250 or email info@elitefitnessconsultants.co.uk


Good luck & keep it healthy!