For many, the first step in a fitness program to support weight loss is getting on a treadmill or going for a jog in the park. You generate enough sweat and then maybe finish stretching to finish your workout. Over time, that stubborn weight is not lifted. We think it’s more cardio, longer runs, more time on the treadmill. We could even switch machines from the treadmill to the main staircase or elliptical to change the routine. We have never considered the importance of weight training or resistance training to support weight loss.

Many people (women) fear lifting weights because they think they will gain muscle and become bulky. You know, there was a time when we thought that the world was flat and that if you sailed to the edge of the horizon you would fall off the edge of the earth. As we now know, that is not the truth. The same can be said for resistance training for women. Fortunately, resistance training is becoming increasingly accepted among women for its benefits.

Why resistance training?
Because resistance training is one, if not the best, way to build muscle in your body. Muscle, it is metabolically active. That is, that muscle needs energy in the form of calories to maintain itself in the body. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the greater the possibility of burning calories. In turn, you will burn more body fat.

If you are still in doubt, think of it this way. It is very difficult for women to build bulky, blocky muscles because women do not have the same amount of muscle building hormones (testosterone, androgens, IGF-1) as men. However, when you train you have dormant muscle fibers that are reactivated when you do resistance training. Think of those fibers as a burning furnace of calories when activated.

And for this reason it is important to do resistance training to support weight loss. Not to mention, it defines your body as slim arms and sleek, sexy thighs. There are many benefits but the most important thing to consider to get started.

Joshua