Do you get uncomfortable when you see a barbell? Do you turn the other way when you hear weight-lifting is part of a workout class? Do you feel like lifting heavy things is not for you?
Many women feel hesitant about weight-training, especially with heavier weights including large dumbbells or a barbell, but why? Most likely, your daily life already requires you to lift heavy things even if you don’t realize you’re doing it. Think about bending over to lift your kid or grandkid off the ground. And trying to lug that full laundry basket all the way to the laundry room. And I know you are loading up your arms with every grocery bag you came home with to avoid the extra trips from the car to the kitchen and back. Our life often requires lifting heavy things so why are we afraid to prepare our body for the demands?
Weight training has many beneficial effects for both sexes and ALL ages. Using weights during your exercises provide the load your muscles require to build strength over time. This strength is essential for performing those daily household, work, and recreational activities that you want to participate in while decreasing your risk for injury. Weight training also provides load to bones and joints which can help to increase bone density. This is especially important for females as we age because we tend to have lower bone density, higher risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis, and higher risk for fractures secondary to falls. Strength training can improve your ability to lose weight, decrease body fat, and decrease risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and Type II Diabetes. Strength training has been shown to have positive effects on musculoskeletal pain and motor control. And I haven’t even gotten to the positive effects on self-esteem, body image, and overall well being!
So the answer is….WEIGHT LIFTING IS RIGHT FOR EVERYONE! If you get uncomfortable by the thought of weights or are not using weights as part of your regular workout routine, let’s talk! My goal is to help you learn to use weights appropriately and effectively as a part of your regular routine so you can discover all the short-term and long-term benefits this training has to offer! Call Life Changes Physical Therapy today for a free consultation or to schedule your evaluation.