As a personal trainer and someone that has been working primarily with women for the better half of a decade, I constantly hear “I want to be toned but I don’t want to lift weights because I don’t want to get bulky.”
The stigma that you will get bulky when you strength train has led so many women straight to the cardio machine and scared to lift anything more than 5lbs. There are so many misconceptions of strength training and lifting heavy
… let’s debunk some of the myths and then we can get to all the bennies
Myth #1: “Lifting weights is going to make me heavier and more bulky”
Actually the more muscle you have on your body, the more calories you burn at a resting state .. basically, the more calories you burn doin’ nothing! Incorporating strength training can actually aid in your weight loss journey or help you maintain your weight (depending on your desires).
Myth #2: “I’m going to get hurt lifting that heavy”
The long and short of it is yes there’s a chance you can get hurt if you are not doing the movements properly…. But there’s also a chance you get hurt stepping out of your house every day! Your body is basically a collection of pulleys and levers, meaning our bodies are actually better suited than you think to help you lift properly. Ever seen a toddler or an infant squat .. it is always with perfect form, and I mean perfect! With proper guidance and instruction, you can really surprise yourself with how strong you are.
Myth #3: “The weight room is intimidating”
I get it, I was there myself. Being a former dancer I thought bodyweight conditioning was queen… I was scared of the weight section of the gym. The main reason you might feel this way is because you don’t know what you are supposed to do in that area….
Go in with a plan. Work with a trainer on proper technique, purchase a program with video guidance or grab a friend and make it fun.
I was so scared to lift weights for all the exact same reasons listed but when I really started strength training, I quickly fell in love with feeling strong AF then shortly after, I fell in love with what it was doing to my body! When my body transformed, all my girlfriends asked me what I was doing and when my answer was “Lifting heavy AF” they were floored!
Start slow, take your time, and know it is a process! Fall in love with the unknown and have fun! It ain’t that serious, just a few squats with friends!
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