Losing weight is a challenge, and if losing weight is your goal, make sure you are making the most of your workouts. Many women are hesitant about lifting weights for a variety of reasons because they don’t want to add bulk or they just don’t have much experience in the weight room. If you aren’t taking advantage of weightlifting, you are missing out. Here at Texas Fitness, we specialize in women’s fitness. With our expertise, we help you feel comfortable with weightlifting, so you can get maximum results.
Here are three reasons why weightlifting will get you in the best shape of your life.
1. Lift weights first, then do cardio for maximum weight loss results.
In the Fitness Magazine article, “Should I do Weights or Cardio First” they go into detail on why you should start your workouts with weightlifting.
If weight loss is your goal, weights before cardio is your best bet. For an American Council on Exercise study, researchers from Western State Colorado University explored the optimal order of exercises in a workout. After 24 training sessions, each in a different exercise order, researchers found that doing weights first led to a more elevated heart rate, which means a bigger calorie burn for your cardio buck. All while having more energy to lift heavier weights, which increases your metabolic lean muscle mass.
2. Lifting weights helps you lose 40% more fat than cardio alone
The article, “12 Reasons You Should Start Lifting Weights Today” gives data that will have you sprinting to pick up the barbell.
If you think cardio is the key to blasting belly fat, keep reading: When Penn State researchers put dieters into three groups—no exercise, aerobic exercise only, or aerobic exercise and weight training—they all lost around 21 pounds, but the lifters shed six more pounds of fat than those who didn’t pump iron. Why? The lifters’ loss was almost pure fat; the others lost fat and muscle.
3. Burn calories after you work out and boost your metabolism
Who doesn’t want to burn calories when you aren’t working out! The benefits of weightlifting are hard to deny. In the article, “8 Reasons Women Should Lift Weights,” they discuss a variety of reasons why women should hit the weights.
The huge advantage to weight training is your body’s ability to burn fat during and after exercise.
After a heavy bought of strength training, you continue to consume additional oxygen in the hours and even days that follow. This is known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC.
When your body uses more oxygen, it requires more caloric expenditure and an increased metabolic rate.
The article also gives some other compelling arguments to start weightlifting for better sleep, increase heart health, and fight against bone loss.
Are you ready to start lifting weights? The benefits are clear, weightlifting is not just for men. Find a gym that can help train you to be successful, comfortable, and confident in the weight room.