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Facts About
Women's Bodybuilding
by
Dianne
Brown
“Women shouldn’t train
with heavy weights unless they want to lose their
femininity.”
MISCONCEPTION!
This widespread
misconception keeps a lot of women from experiencing the
many benefits associated with strength training.
Many females also restrict
themselves to using lighter weights, fearing they will
become more muscular than they care to be. This type of
training is actually less effective for looking slimmer
and appearing more shapely.
Women are not prone to lose their femininity through
weight training unless they are taking substances used
for irregular muscle growth, such as anabolic steroids
or human growth hormone. In fact, very few individuals
of either gender have the genetic capability to build
large muscle mass without the use of drugs. Very few
females are even capable of developing the appearance
people have in mind when speaking of ‘losing femininity’
from weight training, and even then it would take an
individual years of consistent training and proper
dieting to achieve that kind of muscle size. Unless a
female is among the rare genetically gifted,
approximately 1 out of about 2,500 women, becoming less
feminine from weight training will never be an issue for
her.
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Benefits of
weight training for women:
• Added muscle
fights obesity - Increased metabolism
More muscle burns more calories per day
• Redesigns body composition: Loss of more
fat than muscle gained (appear slimmer)
• Strengthens mental health:
Studies have shown that strength training
reduces clinical depression and anxiety
• Bones become stronger: Deterrent against
osteoporosis
• Increases strength without sacrificing
femininity
• Improves quality of life: Provides
strength for everyday activities
• Slows the aging process
• Improves self esteem |
And these benefits
can be enjoyed by women of all ages! Just take a
look at the drug-free female bodybuilders on this
page and the next and decide for yourself whether
you think weight lifting equates to less femininity.
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