More
than 36 million American women use dumbbells to shed and sculpture
their bodies. Fitness instructors and personal trainers promise
that strength training build muscles which will accelerate the
metabolism. Despite the dream of a svelte physique, weight lifting
does not provide the results many women aspire.
But in the opinions of researchers, the link between weight
loss, lean muscles and weight lifting is flawed in a couple
of ways. Primarily, muscles are not the miracle calorie melt-aways
they are touted to be. Although, weight training improves muscle
development and metabolism, insufficient evidence proves the
caloric burn induces significant weight loss.
Additionally, innumerous women neglect to perform all of the
intricate steps to develop more active muscles. For example,
many lady weight lifters lift too light a weight. The problem
is compounded when they fail to progress to a heavier weight.
Another muscle factor faux pas is when women diet during a weight
lifting program. It is virtually impossible to increase muscle
with reduced calories.
Nonetheless, regular regimens of resistance training offer many
benefits; particularly, when executed properly. It reduces body
fat levels coupled with helping preserve bone mass. It may thwart
the loss of muscles during weight loss. However, the concept
that weight training can increase calorie burning is a misnomer.
Publications such as “Smart Girls Do Dumbbells,” “Lift Weights
to Lose Weight” and “8 Minutes in the Morning,” feed the myth
on how building muscles empowers the metabolism to accelerate
weight loss. The mistake most women make when they incorporate
bodybuilding with a cardiovascular exercise is the tendency
to abandon the aerobic training. In essence, weight training
is a fitness necessity; however it should be done in moderation
and in conjunction with cardiovascular exercise.
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