Should Women Bodybuild?

While men engage in bodybuilding to strengthen and increase muscle mass, women seek to shape and tone their bodies using particular exercise routines.  Also, the notion that you will become a female version of the “Hulk Hogan” is a myth.  It takes a tremendous amount of work to bulk up and you can’t do it by accident.

The areas of concern for most women are the butt, abs, and back of arms.  In addition to body composition, weights can be used to promote bone health and density.

Here are some recommendations fro women looking to start bodybuilding:

* Learn the proper technique from a professional or gym instructor, many offer a free consultation so just ask.
* A 30-45 minute workout is recommended.
* Exercises beginning with the lower body, middle, and upper body are advisable.
* Sets of up to 15 repetitions repeated three times, with rests in between each set.
* Two days a week of strength training.
* Begin slowly.
* Add resistance training to your routine with bands.
* Stretch before and after exercising.
* Let your body tell you when you’re tired or in pain, then stop.
* A good routine leaves your muscles burning and tired at the end.
* Include a proper diet regimen.
* Get plenty of rest.

There are those who contend that while you can burn fat using weights, it is a slow process.  This is true.  Your weight training workout is not for burning fat.  It is to keep your muscles from breaking down as fast when you are doing all your cardio.  However, the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn on a daily basis.  Muscle cells are alive and require energy, otherwise known as calories.  Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn.  If you run at a deficit on your calories, then you will burn fat.

Women who are in the sport of bodybuilding develop high definition and muscles through increased workouts along with supplementation.   They are not doing low weights and high repetitions such as 12-15 per set.  For most women today, however, who simply wish to shape and tone their bodies, the above recommendations will sufficiently achieve your goals.