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Did you know that doctors advise women to engage in aerobic, weight-bearing exercise to increase their bone mass so as to prevent osteoporosis that can follow menopause? Did you know that recent studies have shown that resistance training is also effective at increasing bone density, and in fact, may be more effective than aerobic training? Did you know that muscle strength, balance and postural corrections were also improved in the resistance-trained women?
Were you aware that resistance training offers several cardiovascular benefits as well? It can improve heart disease risk factors and it is helpful in cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack?
So Resistance Training or Strength Training is not only about the esthetics of body building. Resistance training has a long term benefit to your heart, body, bones, energy and therefore your overall health.
Using your peripheral muscles to push or pull against some force, which could be gravity, such as when you lift weights at a health club or when you lift part of your own weight in a push-up. Or your muscles can work against another force, such as when you use a rowing machine is resistance or strength training. Over time with repeated activity, muscle fibers get longer and thicker. Subsequently, you are able to work against a greater force (lift heavier weights) for longer periods of time.
Strong muscle fiber creates lean, defined muscular body parts. And no! Women don't get bulky and big with resistance training. We get stronger, leaner and tighter. I hope my gallery of pictures helps you to visualize the difference.
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