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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