| 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. |
