Women are often concerned that if they strength train they will get bulky or look too masculine. The fact is that they won’t. Female hormones and biology won’t allow us to look like men. We gain muscle differently and shouldn’t be worried about getting too big. The fact is, many of the best workout routines for women are also the best workout routines for men.
Testosterone is a big reason why men gain the type of muscle they do. Their bulk and their ability to gain muscle mass quickly (when compared with women) is directly related to the amount of testosterone in their body. Though we women have testosterone, it is not nearly as much as men which means our muscle building capabilities will be quite different. Even workouts that are 100% strength training can be excellent workout routines for women.
Whether you are a male or female you need strength training in your fitness regime. Cardio increases the health of your heart and lungs but strength training can provide long lasting benefits that simply cannot be duplicated. The best workout routines for women and men are those that combine strength training with cardio.
While I know one single workout may not be effective at combining these two elements optimally, there are several workout systems that do. Take P90X for example, which has you doing several strength training workouts and cardio workouts every week. This means you are using your heart and lungs, you are burning calories, but you are also building muscle which can increase your metabolism and make your body look even fitter.
Workouts for women should not shy away from weights or resistance training. Muscle tone gives the body a healthy shape, improves posture, and makes you feel better about yourself. The best workout routines for women and men should be well rounded for complete fitness benefits.
