A lot of my female clients come to me with a fear of weight training. So, why is there this stigma with weight training and women?

Weight training is among one of the more successful means through which both men and women can choose to get in shape, look good, improve their health, lose weight, and raise their self-esteem. Given this fact, it would be expected that more women would be involved in weight training. However, this is not the case.  So why aren’t more women rushing to try this tested and proven option? Most women are rather opting to stay clear of this form of exercise because of the many negative myths attached to it. Below is a list of reasons as to why women are afraid of weight training. There is a stigma associated with weight training that I would like to break.

“I Will Get Bulky”

The first reason why some women will not try weight training is because they are afraid that they will get bulky and have “masculine muscles”. They fear that they will rapidly grow large amounts of muscles. However, because of hormone differences, it is rather difficult for women to look like men by just lifting weights. Women who have large amounts of muscle are considered bodybuilders and actually eat, train, and take special builders to look the way they do. So unless you intentionally want to look like a certain way, you have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

The reality is, if you lift weights and eat the right kinds of foods, your muscles will become stronger, you will burn fat, you will become leaner, and you will achieve a toned look. (Working with a certified trainer, such as the ones at ECKERCISE can help you to achieve the results you would like properly – whether it is toning or bulking.)

“I Will Get Hurt”

Additionally, it is quite natural to consider the possibility of getting hurt if you are carrying around heavy objects such as weights. What if I slip? What if the weight accidentally falls on me? What if I strain myself? These are just a few reasonable questions that women thinking about weight training may have. However, this fear can be countered by starting off slow with lighter weights and then increase as you become more proficient and your strength increases. (You should also know that at first, it is natural to have a “burning” feeling in the muscles. This is quite normal and will eventually go away with time. This is your body naturally repairing itself.)

“It is Not Real Exercise”

Further, some women choose not to weight train because they think that it is a waste of time. Women have been told for years that cardio, or other fixed sets of activities, are the only way to lose weight. However, this is absolutely inaccurate. What you need to realize is that what works for someone else, may not necessarily work for you and weight training might very well be the weight loss activity that will work for you.

“I Will Make a Fool of Myself”

Many women steer clear of weight training out of a fear of looking foolish in front of others. Beginning weight trainers may not know how to use machines or other weight lifting equipment and this can be a bit awkward. However, to get more comfortable, you can opt for private sessions with a personal trainer who will help to guide you and make you feel comfortable. Private training is a fantastic way to achieve your goals quickly and easily.

These are all excuses that I have heard in my time as a trainer and they are all excuses that can easily be disproved. While having questions about weight training is quite reasonable, it should not be the reason for totally throwing out the idea. After all, fear may be the only thing standing between you and the leaner, healthier, toner you. Our trainers are here to help answer any and all questions you may have and help to get rid of any fear. Weight training is a fantastic and efficient way to achieve your goals.  Look to our future blogs for more benefits of weight training.