The Importance of Fitness Training for Women

Working out at the gym has come a long ways from being an all male activity to something women are encouraged to take part in. Our increasingly health and image conscious society puts pressure on everybody to improve their physiques, regardless of age or gender. While gyms nowadays can be used by both sexes, it should be pointed out that the fitness requirements for women are different than those of men. Whereas men typically focus on building muscle mass, a woman's focus should be on improving muscle tone, losing weight and strength training. Many exercises exclusively designed for women focus on the stomach muscles and the muscles of the upper back.
 

Here are five reasons why women should embrace the gym life and start working to strengthen their bodies:

1. A physically healthy body with strong muscles will make your everyday chores much easier. Many women are amazed at how much easier it is to lift a load of laundry or an bagful of groceries after they have done a few weeks of strength training. Not only will regular gym workouts improve a woman's strength by a whopping 30 to 50 percent, it will also greatly reduce the risk of muscle strain or back injury in her everyday life.
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3. Women are often unhappy with their current weight and are always looking to shed a few pounds. A regular workout session at the gym for only two or three times a week will show noticeable results after only two months; not only will you lose 3.5 lbs of fat, but you will also again two pounds of solid muscle. Additionally, many muscle building exercises can speed up your body's natural metabolism rate, meaning you will burn calories faster than ever before.
4. Many women are at the risk of osteoporosis as they grow older. Regular weight training at the gym can greatly reduce this risk as it strengthens the bones and increases the mineral density in the spinal column.
5. A lot of women rely solely on dieting to lower cholesterol and improve their blood pressure, unfortunately dieting will only work if combined with regular exercise. Cardio workouts combined with weight training can go a long way to reducing your weight and combating the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
6. Women who maintain a steady fitness program at their local gym are not only healthier, but also happier and more confident as well. A healthy, physically fit body bereft of the normal aches and pains plays a huge part in maintaining a positive mindset and sunny disposition.

Of course not everyone can spend multiple weekly sessions at the gym to stay in shape. Women who simply don't have the time or the opportunity to work out in a gym every day should engage in daily walking exercises to stay fit. Starting off slow, say 10 to 15 minutes every day should do the trick for first timers. Stretching is a must before engaging in any form of physical activity; not flexing your joints and muscles prior to a workout is just asking for trouble. Women who already suffer from joint pain and bone disease should consider doing their workouts in the pool instead. Swimming can be a great way to stay fit without putting too much stress on the bones or joints.

Always remember to stay hydrated throughout your workout; drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and cramping. Loading up on carbs before a workout can give you that boost of extra energy you need to really exert yourself.

Whether you find the time to go to a gym every week or workout alone at home, regular exercise is important for women of all ages. Not only will it leave you looking and feeling better, regular exercise can help prevent many of the medical problems that afflict a lot of women as they grow older.

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