As modern gals, we do it all these days: career, family, interests and hobbies, social networks, higher personal development, etc. Today, our focus need be on our health, not our “skinny.” Our functional ability and stamina depend on our strength: the more muscular strength we have, the more we can do, and the better we will age (and the more fun we will have doing it).
While we have been and continue to be, for a large part, a visually oriented society, we have admittedly exercised predominately for visual affect: to “lose weight” – we have long figured that if we looked good, we’d feel good, and as a corollary, that we were fit and healthy. Wrong.
Discover a Fountain of Youth in Strength Training
Building muscle is the best way to proactively combat the myriad problems associated with ageing, supercharge the metabolism and increase cardiovascular endurance. Indeed, osteoporosis, diabetes, impaired cardiac function, weight gain due to decreasing metabolism and loss of glucose sensitivity, joint pain, loss of balance and injury, etc., can all be traced back to the fact that we lose vital muscle as we age. Logically then, one of the best things you can do to enhance your overall health and fitness now is to build muscle, whilst arresting the natural course of muscle loss that occurs as we age.
Rather than exercising to lose weight, our focus should be to gain muscle for optimal movement, energy and protection from injury. Remember that our skeletal muscles serve as the engine, chassis, and shock absorbers of our bodies.
What about “Bulking Up”?
For women who strength train, bulking up is remote – we simply lack the genetic predisposition and hormonal profiles. But, we will tone up for sure. Well-developed back and shoulder muscles will improve posture, toned arm and leg muscles direct the upper arms and thighs, calve muscles the appearance of the legs (and help prevent the formation of varicose veins), pectoral muscles enhance the lift of the bust, etc. If you are after a younger looking, more vibrant feminine body, you want more muscle. And, added muscle improves our appearance with definition and helps to fight gravity, holding up our desirable body fat in the right places.
Staving Off Osteoporosis
Or, if you’re one of the millions of women suffering from osteoporosis (or at risk), you may worry that any strenuous physical activity could cause a fracture or other injury. The key to improving your bone density is strength training. Building muscle directly increases bone density by putting increased stress on the bones, making them stronger, healthier, and less prone to fractures and breaks. Not only does increased bone density slow the devastating bone loss associated with getting older, it also helps to counteract any future loss by building additional bone matter. Your new muscle mass will also serve to protect your bones, guarding them against injury and cushioning the blow in case of a fall.
