Lifting weights won’t make you look bulky (unless you want them to) – by Jessica Bryan

Female weightlifting has been steadily gaining popularity for some time now. There has been a rise in the number of women lifting weights, both individually and collectively, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Although weightlifting is becoming increasingly popular, there are still people out there who are convinced

that it will cause them to gain too much muscle and give them the appearance of an overall bigger physique.

FAT BURN? YES PLEASE!

One of the most significant benefits of resistance training is an increased fat burn rate – quite the opposite of bulking up! So don’t shy away from weight training in lieu of hours on the treadmill, which can actually burn muscle as well as fat. Building and maintaining lean muscle mass will help you burn extra calories, and implementing some weights into any interval training can increase the heart health benefit compared to simple cardio machines like the elliptical.

MUSCLE MASS IS YOUR FRIEND

As women age, maintaining muscle mass becomes increasingly important for overall health – think bone strength, heart health, cognition, blood glucose control, and more.1 It’s normal for muscle mass to decrease during older age, though, so maintaining it can literally add years to your life. In women, resistance training can reverse signs of osteoporosis by increasing bone density and improving growth hormone levels, improve balance and agility (thereby decreasing injury risk), and even improve long-term cognition and memory.

IT’S HARD TO GET “BULKY”

It’s important to understand that building muscle takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It takes a combination of heavy weightlifting, consistent training, and a high-calorie diet to see significant muscle growth. Even then, it’s much harder for women to build muscle than it is for men due to differences in hormones and muscle mass.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WEIGHTLIFTING

Additionally, the type of weightlifting you do also plays a role in muscle growth. If you’re doing high-rep, low-weight exercises, you’re not going to bulk up. Instead, you’ll tone your muscles and build lean muscle mass. Most women focus on this type of weightlifting when they want to improve their overall fitness and health.

YOU CAN’T OUT-TRAIN YOUR DIET

Another essential factor to consider is your diet. If you’re eating a diet high in protein and calories, you’ll be more

likely to bulk up. However, if you’re eating a balanced diet that’s high in fruits and vegetables, you’ll be less likely to bulk up.

In conclusion, lifting weights won’t make you look bulky unless you specifically want them to. By focusing on high-rep, low-weight exercises and eating a balanced diet, you can tone your muscles and improve your overall health without bulkiness. So don’t be afraid to lift weights and start seeing the benefits of strength training for yourself!

Come down to Barbell and speak to our trainers to achieve your fitness goals.

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