The proof is in the pudding: women who exercise with weights not only look great but more importantly they feel great! According to IDEAfit these women will reap the benefits:
• Research shows that the average woman who strength trains 2 to 3 times a week for eight weeks gains 1.75 lbs of lean weight and loses 3.5 lbs of fat.
• Muscle gained from strength training helps raise your resting metabolism, which means you burn more calories throughout the day.
• Moderate weight training can increase a woman's strength by 30 to 50 percent. This increased strength makes regular daily activities easier.
• After graduating from high school, you had all the bone density you'll have-unless you strength train. Weight training places stress on bones encouraging them to become stronger. Regular weight training can increase bone density by 13 percent in six months... a great defense against osteoporosis.
• Lifting weights can improve your cholesterol and blood pressure, provided it also includes cardiovascular exercise.
• A recent study showed that strengthening low-back muscles had an 80 percent success rate in alleviating low-back pain.
• A Harvard study found that 10 weeks of strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms. In addition, many women reported feeling more confident and capable about themselves.
