I touched on the top 3 reasons I promote weight training to women. I wrote that article about the health benefits specifically. But weight training can benefit you so much mentally.
photo credit: greg westfall.
1. Confidence. How you think of yourself is a huge key in how others will think of you. When you weight train your posture improves as you strengthen your muscles. You’ll hold yourself up taller and this brings the perception that you are more confident…even if you aren’t yet. Stand tall and be proud of your accomplishments with your workouts.
2. Renewed energy. It goes along with that confidence issue. Weight workouts and re-energize you. Plus you will be so proud of finishing your workouts successfully that you will be ready to take on the world and get other projects done as well.
3. Appearance changes. When we feel better about what we see in the mirror our whole outlook changes. When you weight train you get muscle definition. Definition is hot no matter how you look at it. With each muscle that starts to show you will move right up to our favorite number 1 again, confidence 
Plus your clothes will look all the better when your muscles are toned up to what they are made to look like.
Weight train for all of the benefits combined. Considering we are emotional beings, we can benefit immensely from the physical and emotional. Whatever keeps you working out is a good reason to use.
I’ve done a lot of research recently on the effects of exercise on the brain. Its amazing. Those who are fit are usually have better cognitive ability too. Thanks for the article.
It’s all connected. The more you move, the more you are firing those neurons!
I think the renewed energy is one of the best benefits you can get from weight lifting.
I think you’ve got some solid thoughts here. So many people look at the physical benefits and not the mental benefits. The bottom line: exercise is good for you, all the way around.
The emotional benefits can bring you through so many other issues as well. Much easier to cope with life when we have a different mindset.
Confidence and renewed energy are what I get from weight training. Weight training also may have some cognitive abilities like MountainLand mentioned. I’ve recently added some cardio (i hate cardio) to my routine and it has suprisingly helped with my weight training. So they are probably even more benefits for doing both
Check this out about cognitive benefits of weight training:
http://www.weighttraincentral.com/womens-health-articles/355-research-proves-weight-lifting-improves-your-cognitive-muscles-too.html
Definite benefits of doing both. You want your lungs and heart to be as healthy as the rest of you
A lot of women don’t think weight training is necessary, but it is. A little definition and tone is always a good thing!
One thing that excited me about exercising is the stress revealing aspect of it all. There is a chemical that is released into your body as you work out that calms you down.
Yep and burns up the extra adrenaline running through your blood from the day.
I tried weight training along with my normal exercise routing a few months ago and I have to say I definitely felt more confident. I had already lost a little weight but seeing the muscle definition in my arms and have my shoulders and back look more refined made me love the way my body looked more than ever! Unfortunately life got in the way and my workout got lax and now I’m a bit out of shape. Going to get back in it though, and definitely making sure weight training is happening!
Awesome you saw the benefits Kayla, that makes it much easier to get back to it.
I guess I haven’t thought of weight training as a confidence builder. I think of fat loss as one but I am kinda new at this whole ‘fitness’ thing. My parents were both obese and I’m borderline overweight and I want to change that.
When you feel stronger, it’s amazing how much more confidence you will have. Especially once your core strengthens, you will stand up tall all the time. It’s never to late to work on your health Jen. Just take little steps each day and follow along on my journey. Most of my family is obese and I’m fighting this extra weight right now.
I totally feel re-energized after I do some weight training. I don’t do a lot of it but I try to incorporate it into my workouts fairly often.
Another good option is circuit training so it’s all inclusive. Easier to get a 30 minute full body workout in and get out of the gym on a busy day.
Do you recommend doing weight training before or after cardio? I read an article a few months ago that said doing weights before cardio was better because you’re still fresh and after cardio you might be too tired to put our your best effort.
I do recommend weight training first so you have the energy to really hit it hard and break those muscles down. BUT, if you are one of those people that will do your weight workout and then talk yourself out of cardio I’d do cardio first so you know you get it done. Sometimes it depends on your personality as well.
These three benifits are very good for us. We have a good look and healty by waight training. we have increase the confidence by donig waight training.
thanks,
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Hi
There are 3 mental benefits of weight training. We have increase our confidence.
thanks,
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