Why should women start bodybuilding?
Many people, including men, believe that if a woman lifts weights, she will somehow transform into the stereotypical image of a female bodybuilder. Therefore, women will most often go to the cardio area of their gym or settle down with their sports mat far from the weight training area. However, it is not necessarily a question of lifting weights to have the body of Schwarzy!
Why don't women do bodybuilding?
In France, few women dare to venture onto bodybuilding platforms for several reasons. Becoming too muscular is undoubtedly the biggest fear of women who are reluctant to take up bodybuilding. In addition, weight rooms in France have long remained the prerogative of men and some women may feel uncomfortable and afraid of the gaze of others for fear of not knowing how to use a machine or perform an exercise.
It is important to set aside all these preconceived ideas and keep in mind that the majority of bodybuilders are above all caring people who also started bodybuilding at some point like you, and who will share their passion with you if you ask them for advice. Bodybuilding is a sport for both men and women and lifting weights is a great way to take care of your body.
Discover the reasons why weight training, far from being reserved for men, is ideal for women in the weight room.
9 reasons why women should do bodybuilding:
Practicing weight training is a great way to take care of your body, tone your body, gain muscle mass or lose fat. Women and bodybuilding are not incompatible, quite the contrary! Let's take a look at the benefits of bodybuilding for women.
#1. You will sleep better
For starters, weight training has been shown to stimulate the release of serotonin, which will help boost your levels of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for restful sleep and helps fight insomnia.
The reason for this is clear, after each workout you will have a huge energy drop, so your body will rest and relax enough for you to get a restful sleep. This is because nap has a strong effect on muscle growth.
Not getting enough sleep blocks your ability to build muscle. This is why it is so important to respect your sleeping hours. Be sure to finish your weight training exercises at least two hours before you go to bed.
No. 2. Strength training is great for losing fat
In general, women who want to lose weight turn to running or cycling, long-lasting but low-intensity physical exercises. One of the most common mistakes is to believe that by practicing bodybuilding, fat is transformed into muscle. However, fat and muscle are made up of separate cells, and one cell cannot transform into another type of cell.
Strength training promotes muscle building through the reconstitution of muscle fibers and develops your metabolism which helps reduce your fat level. For optimal efficiency, it is advisable to supplement your cardio session with weight training exercises or vice versa.
No. 3. You are less likely to hurt yourself
As this is an exercise that requires a certain amount of strength with each session, over time your soft tissues will begin to strengthen, which will help you avoid the risk of injury to a large extent.
It is obvious that you must start with the weight that suits you, because if you want to change it abruptly, you will surely suffer a tear or injury, because your muscles and tendons are not prepared for it.
#4. It will be easier for you to follow a balanced diet.
In general, when you practice strength training, you have a clear goal: to gain muscle mass and tone certain parts of your body. The means to achieve your physical goals will become an obsession and you will quickly understand the importance of having a suitable diet and including natural foods that will give you all the energy you need. The regular practice of bodybuilding will encourage you to take an interest in healthy eating and all the concepts related to it such as the caloric deficit. Also, weight training will become a habit over time, and it will be easier for you to maintain it by eating a healthy diet.
No. 5. Say goodbye to stress
It has been proven that any type of training that requires strength and a lot of energy will help you to be less stressed in your life. Not only will you get rid of unwanted calories and fat from your body, but you will also relax and save yourself some worries in your daily life in the long run.
Even if you only do it for a few minutes a day, one of the proven benefits of strength training for women is that it increases the production of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that moderates the brain's response to stress.
No. 6. It will increase your strength
On the other hand, you will have more strength in your arms and legs. It's not the only way to achieve this, but it's been the most effective for years. Weightlifting allows you to work on your body's endurance, speed and strength. It is ideal for feeling better and more able to start practicing another type of sport that requires more performance and strength.
No. 7. Your cardiovascular capacity and endurance improve
Along with building muscle, strength training provides excellent cardiovascular benefits, improves your ability to perform high-intensity workouts, and strengthens different areas of your body. In any case, it is recommended to combine them with other types of exercises to obtain more satisfactory and lasting results.
To get the best benefits, the ideal is to perform mixed training also called "poly articular" (weight training and cardio), in order to focus your attention on all areas of your body, both physically and physically.
Indeed practicing a physical activity will allow your body to gain muscle, improve your physical condition while allowing your body to burn more calories at rest.
No. 8. You will perform better
When you learn about some of the most popular scientific studies related to bodybuilding for women, you'll see that bodybuilding is proven to improve athletic ability and help you perform better in a wide variety of sports.
In this sense, whether you like running, swimming or playing team sports, strength training will improve your performance and endurance in each of your practices, help you improve your technique and reduce your risk of injury.
No. 9. You maintain a more positive attitude
Although we often say that looks aren't everything, the truth is that we all dream of having a fit body that you can look at comfortably in the mirror, and that will give you the confidence to motivate you to go even further. One of the benefits of bodybuilding for women is that it brings you closer to your ultimate goals.
Likewise, weight training causes you to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter closely linked to your happiness and responsible for making you feel pleasure and joy in different situations, which means that at the end of your workouts, you will have a more positive attitude.
Conclusion: Try bodybuilding!
Finally, the benefits of bodybuilding for women are manifold, and it is only a myth to believe that you will end up with the muscular development of a man. Today, bodybuilding is still too often associated with testosterone, but it is certain that the mentality is changing in the right direction.
You now know why women should get into bodybuilding, it's time to challenge yourself to get the body of your dreams!
FAQs:
1. I'm afraid of getting too muscular
Women do not get too muscular by weight training because they have lower testosterone levels than men. Strength training can help lose fat and improve overall health.
2. If I stop will I gain fat?
Stopping regular exercise can lead to loss of muscle mass and weight gain due to a reduction in basal metabolic rate. It is therefore important to maintain regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
3. Too much protein = bad for your health?
Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and supporting health, but excessive consumption can cause health problems. Protein consumption should be adjusted according to individual needs to avoid adverse effects.
