Why Women Need to Lift Weights

Ladies – I hear all the time how afraid you are of gaining muscle and looking like the She-He below.   I'm hear to tell you need to lift weights (heavy ones too when your ready). There is no need to be afraid of lifting weights - let me explain:

For too long there has only been a few of us lone females in the gym in the free weight section.  Most of the women in the gym spend the hour they have to work out on the elliptical or treadmill – making sure to burn the exact amount of calories they consumed for the day.  Maybe one or two trickle into the weight room, but for the most part it’s become the 'stinky guys room.'

Simply: Gaining muscle BURNS FAT!


In order to get rid of our fear of lifting weights, we must look at why we are scared of lifting weights.

Reason  #1 – You think that lifting weights will make you look like a man.
I agree -  I don’t want to look like a man either! Currently I lift weights 4 days a week, and cross train on the others, and I don’t look like a man.

This can no longer be your excuse. To achieve the results like the picture below you would need high levels of testosterone in your body to bulk up like our male counterparts. Our levels of testosterone are nowhere near the level to bulk up like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It takes time and years of dedication of body building ... and the possibility of other substances to reach the muscle levels such as this female.

Reason #2 – You don’t know what to do and you don’t want to make a fool of yourself by doing the wrong thing.

Seriously? There are PLENTY of people in the gym who are unsure of what they are doing - male and female. This why trainers exist. It is our job to pass on our knowledge. If you are unsure ask a co-worker at your gym or myself. I am happy to escort you threw the weight room ;-D

There are so many opportunities for you to find out and learn what exercises you can do with weights in the gym that you don’t need to be nervous. You can check out the exercises on many YouTube channels, you can read workout magazines to see what other women are doing, or you can search the internet.

If you are really nervous and don’t feel comfortable just going out on your own then set up a session with a trainer at your gym.  They’ll be more than happy to show you what exercises to do, show you how to do them properly, and to give you a routine to start off with. There are so many ways for you to find WHAT to do.

Reason #3 – You’re scared you are going to hurt yourself.

This is a very understandable concern. However, like I mentioned above – ask someone, research the proper form and technique and if you’ve never lifted weights before, don’t start with the heaviest weight possible. Start off light and let yourself get stronger.

Also, lifting weights properly will help you prevent injuries- now and later in life.  Research has shown that lifting weights increases bone density, therefore decreasing the risk of osteoporosis in women.  They have also found that lifting weights helps to strengthen the connective tissue between your joints, making them stronger.  When the connective tissue becomes stronger, it adds support to your joints, preventing injury. Plus, we all know that when we exercise, we are lowering our levels or body fat, therefore lowering our cholesterol and risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Are you still scared?  There is no need to be – I know you can do it and you know you can. There are no more excuses for you to not lose body fat and get stronger – lifting weights will only help you.

However, if you are still worried about lifting weights – leave a comment below or  email me – kimk@cardiocorebootcamp.com and let me know what is preventing you from adding weight lifting to your workout routines and together we can come up with a plan to get you started lifting weights and losing fat faster!