Just Cardio?
ladyhawk00
Posts: 2,457 Member
Found this to be a good summary of why strength training/weight lifting is vital for women of every age and size. Enjoy! :flowerforyou:
"Just because you're not vying for 20-inch biceps or thunderously strong thighs like the muscle heads in the gym doesn't mean you should shun the weight room. Lifting weights gives you an edge over belly fat, stress, heart disease, and cancer—and it's also the single most effective way to look hot in a bikini. Yet somehow women are still hesitant: Only about a fifth of females strength train two or more times a week.
Here are 12 reasons you shouldn't live another day without hitting the weights:
1. You'll lose 40 percent more fat.
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.
Other research on dieters who don't lift shows that, on average, 75 percent of their weight loss is from fat, while 25 percent is from muscle. Muscle loss may drop your scale weight, but it doesn't improve your reflection in the mirror and it makes you more likely to gain back the flab you lost. However, if you weight train as you diet, you'll protect your hard-earned muscle and burn more fat.
2. Your clothes will fit better.
Research shows that between the ages of 30 and 50, you'll likely lose 10 percent of your body's total muscle. Worse yet, it's likely to be replaced by fat over time, says a study. And that increases your waist size, because one pound of fat takes up 18 percent more space than one pound of muscle.
3. You'll burn more calories.
Lifting increases the number of calories you burn while your butt is parked on the couch. That's because after each strength workout, your muscles need energy to repair their fibers. In fact, researchers found that when people did a total-body workout with just three big-muscle moves, their metabolisms were raised for 39 hours afterward. They also burned a greater percentage of calories from fat compared with those who didn't lift.
Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration.
4. Your diet will improve.
Exercise helps your brain stick to a diet plan. University of Pittsburgh researchers studied 169 overweight adults and found that those who didn't follow a three-hours-a-week training regimen ate more than their allotted 1,500 calories a day. The reverse was also true— sneaking snacks sabotaged their workouts. The study authors say both diet and exercise likely remind you to stay on track, aiding your weight-loss goals.
5. You'll handle stress better.
Break a sweat in the weight room and you'll stay cool under pressure. Scientists determined that the fittest people exhibited lower levels of stress hormones than those who were the least fit. Another study found that after a stressful situation, the blood pressure levels of people with the most muscle returned to normal faster than the levels of those with the least muscle.
6. You'll be happier.
Yoga isn't the only Zen-inducing kind of exercise. Researchers found that people who performed three weight workouts a week for six months significantly improved their scores on measures of anger and overall mood.
7. You'll build stronger bones.
As you age, bone mass goes to pot, which increases your likelihood of one day suffering a debilitating fracture. The good news: A study found that 16 weeks of resistance training increased hip bone density and elevated blood levels of osteocalcin—a marker of bone growth—by 19 percent.
8. You'll get into shape faster.
The term cardio shouldn't describe only aerobic exercise: A study found that circuit training with weights raises your heart rate 15 beats per minute higher than if you ran at 60 to 70 percent of your max heart rate. This approach strengthens muscles and provides cardiovascular benefits similar to those of aerobic exercise— so you save time without sacrificing results.
9. Your heart will be healthier.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that people who did three total-body weight workouts a week for two months decreased their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by an average of eight points. That's enough to reduce the risk of a stroke by 40 percent and the chance of a heart attack by 15 percent.
10. You'll be way more productive.
Lifting could result in a raise (or at least a pat on the back from your boss). Researchers found that workers were 15 percent more productive on days they exercised compared with days they didn't. So on days you work out, you can (theoretically) finish in eight hours what would normally take nine hours and 12 minutes. Or you'd still work for nine hours but get more done, leaving you feeling less stressed and happier with your job—another perk reported on days workers exercised.
11. You'll live longer.
University of South Carolina researchers determined that total-body strength is linked to lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Similarly, other scientists found that being strong during middle age is associated with "exceptional survival," defined as living to the age of 85 without developing a major disease.
12. You'll be even smarter.
Muscles strengthen your body and mind: Brazilian researchers found that six months of resistance training enhanced lifters' cognitive function. In fact, the sweat sessions resulted in better short- and long-term memory, improved verbal reasoning, and a longer attention span."
Adapted from The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, by Adam Campbell (Rodale). Available wherever books are sold and at WHBigBookOfExercises.com.
http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/WH/lose-your-fear-of-lifting
"Just because you're not vying for 20-inch biceps or thunderously strong thighs like the muscle heads in the gym doesn't mean you should shun the weight room. Lifting weights gives you an edge over belly fat, stress, heart disease, and cancer—and it's also the single most effective way to look hot in a bikini. Yet somehow women are still hesitant: Only about a fifth of females strength train two or more times a week.
Here are 12 reasons you shouldn't live another day without hitting the weights:
1. You'll lose 40 percent more fat.
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.
Other research on dieters who don't lift shows that, on average, 75 percent of their weight loss is from fat, while 25 percent is from muscle. Muscle loss may drop your scale weight, but it doesn't improve your reflection in the mirror and it makes you more likely to gain back the flab you lost. However, if you weight train as you diet, you'll protect your hard-earned muscle and burn more fat.
2. Your clothes will fit better.
Research shows that between the ages of 30 and 50, you'll likely lose 10 percent of your body's total muscle. Worse yet, it's likely to be replaced by fat over time, says a study. And that increases your waist size, because one pound of fat takes up 18 percent more space than one pound of muscle.
3. You'll burn more calories.
Lifting increases the number of calories you burn while your butt is parked on the couch. That's because after each strength workout, your muscles need energy to repair their fibers. In fact, researchers found that when people did a total-body workout with just three big-muscle moves, their metabolisms were raised for 39 hours afterward. They also burned a greater percentage of calories from fat compared with those who didn't lift.
Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration.
4. Your diet will improve.
Exercise helps your brain stick to a diet plan. University of Pittsburgh researchers studied 169 overweight adults and found that those who didn't follow a three-hours-a-week training regimen ate more than their allotted 1,500 calories a day. The reverse was also true— sneaking snacks sabotaged their workouts. The study authors say both diet and exercise likely remind you to stay on track, aiding your weight-loss goals.
5. You'll handle stress better.
Break a sweat in the weight room and you'll stay cool under pressure. Scientists determined that the fittest people exhibited lower levels of stress hormones than those who were the least fit. Another study found that after a stressful situation, the blood pressure levels of people with the most muscle returned to normal faster than the levels of those with the least muscle.
6. You'll be happier.
Yoga isn't the only Zen-inducing kind of exercise. Researchers found that people who performed three weight workouts a week for six months significantly improved their scores on measures of anger and overall mood.
7. You'll build stronger bones.
As you age, bone mass goes to pot, which increases your likelihood of one day suffering a debilitating fracture. The good news: A study found that 16 weeks of resistance training increased hip bone density and elevated blood levels of osteocalcin—a marker of bone growth—by 19 percent.
8. You'll get into shape faster.
The term cardio shouldn't describe only aerobic exercise: A study found that circuit training with weights raises your heart rate 15 beats per minute higher than if you ran at 60 to 70 percent of your max heart rate. This approach strengthens muscles and provides cardiovascular benefits similar to those of aerobic exercise— so you save time without sacrificing results.
9. Your heart will be healthier.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that people who did three total-body weight workouts a week for two months decreased their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by an average of eight points. That's enough to reduce the risk of a stroke by 40 percent and the chance of a heart attack by 15 percent.
10. You'll be way more productive.
Lifting could result in a raise (or at least a pat on the back from your boss). Researchers found that workers were 15 percent more productive on days they exercised compared with days they didn't. So on days you work out, you can (theoretically) finish in eight hours what would normally take nine hours and 12 minutes. Or you'd still work for nine hours but get more done, leaving you feeling less stressed and happier with your job—another perk reported on days workers exercised.
11. You'll live longer.
University of South Carolina researchers determined that total-body strength is linked to lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Similarly, other scientists found that being strong during middle age is associated with "exceptional survival," defined as living to the age of 85 without developing a major disease.
12. You'll be even smarter.
Muscles strengthen your body and mind: Brazilian researchers found that six months of resistance training enhanced lifters' cognitive function. In fact, the sweat sessions resulted in better short- and long-term memory, improved verbal reasoning, and a longer attention span."
Adapted from The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, by Adam Campbell (Rodale). Available wherever books are sold and at WHBigBookOfExercises.com.
http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/WH/lose-your-fear-of-lifting
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Replies
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"Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration. "
Am I reading this right? A good 8-minute weight training session = an average of 200 calories burned? Does this factor in how weight training will keep burning calories post-work out?0 -
Sounds like I need to add some strength training! So, how would I do that? I can't go to a gym right now, but I could get some weights and lift for a little bit before or after my daily cardio. Any suggestions on a good routine? Like you said I don't want to bulk up, so is it ok do do it every day? Every other day? You seem to know your stuff so any help is appriciated!0
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"Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration. "
Am I reading this right? A good 8-minute weight training session = an average of 200 calories burned? Does this factor in how weight training will keep burning calories post-work out?
Honestly, I'm not that knowledgeable on weight training, so perhaps someone with more expertise could answer that.
Purely as a guess, I'm guessing they're talking about lifting to failure, in a HIIT sense (as I understand it, HIIT is just cardio, just using that as a comparison) and doing very quick rotations. But it does sound a little high to me too, for a woman. Anyone else that can explain?0 -
Sounds like I need to add some strength training! So, how would I do that? I can't go to a gym right now, but I could get some weights and lift for a little bit before or after my daily cardio. Any suggestions on a good routine? Like you said I don't want to bulk up, so is it ok do do it every day? Every other day? You seem to know your stuff so any help is appriciated!
I know some stuff. But not that much about weight training. :laugh:
But from what I do know.... Start with smaller weights, but enough that it's difficult to reach 12 reps. Every other day is recommended, to provide recovery time. But definitely find some good info on form, as poor form can get you injured and/or decrease the effectiveness of the workout.
I think it was DrBorkBork who posted a really great layout of pictures that helped show correct forms on a thread in the last few days, but I can't recall which one. Damn me and my forgetfullness for not saving it at the time. :grumble:0 -
OSounds like I need to add some strength training! So, how would I do that? I can't go to a gym right now, but I could get some weights and lift for a little bit before or after my daily cardio. Any suggestions on a good routine? Like you said I don't want to bulk up, so is it ok do do it every day? Every other day? You seem to know your stuff so any help is appriciated!
You can get some exercise bands, some comes with dvds for training. Doesn't need weights for weight training, bands are very good for resistant training, toning, etc.0 -
Hey!! First of all, your diet is roughly 75% of your weight loss success, so keep up with your logging!!
There is a GREAT DVD by Jackie Warner called "Personal Trainer with Jackie; Power Circuit Training", you can get in on Amazon for about $10....and you can either purchase 5lb hand weights....available just about EVERYWHERE (even TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Target) for around $10 ....you can also make your own weights (if you're on a tight budget) with a plastic bottle and some rocks and sand You don't need a gym or a bunch of heavy weights.....those can just be self imposed roadblocks to your success. Working along with the video will take the guess work out of weight lifting for you AND give you great motivation!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! Best of luck to you!! 0 -
Checkout this thread
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/194124-interesting-article-re-women-s-fitness-goals
8minutes of HIIT could burn that amount of cals depending on the person's size, LBM, fitness level etc. HIIT is not really resistance training though, well not traditional type. Google tabata thrusters for some good HIIT starters
For resistance training starters, if you go to a gym then something like the following (3xper week)
Squat 10x3
Overhead press 8x3
Bent Row x3
Bench Press 8x3
Stiff leg dead lift 8x3
Barbell Curl(chinups) 8x3
Increase weight by 2.5kg each workout if you make the desired reps and sets.
If you don't make it, make sure you do more total reps (so an extra set usually).
The above is a full body workout that will work for everyone starting (as well as intermediates). In fact, I am currently training 2 of my male friends as well as both of my sisters with the above. Just got to push through and try and beat previous PB's. The good thing about being a beginner is that you don't have to go anywhere near your actual 1 rep max's to create stimulus. (that doesn't mean you won't be sore :P)
If you don't go to a gym, body weight resistance exercises are a good start (as are a set of dumbbells). Pushups, pullups, planks etc. My bodyweight goal exercise is the human flag. No luck yet :P0 -
Like you said I don't want to bulk up, so is it ok do do it every day?
See my link You don't have enough testosterone to bulk up 0 -
Thanks Chris
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"Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration. "
Am I reading this right? A good 8-minute weight training session = an average of 200 calories burned? Does this factor in how weight training will keep burning calories post-work out?
I don't think so, I think they meant, that 1 trip through the circuit is about 8 minutes, and you would do a circuit 3 to 5 times depending on your level. I find it hard to believe that the in-training calorie burn would be 200 cals for 8 minutes, maybe with the total burn for the after exercise recovery, but not in 8 minutes unless maybe if you were very out of shape and worked the circuit really fast and furious.
Although I agree, 8 minutes of HIIT training might produce something like that. But that means 3 to 4 minutes of maximum HR time. Which you normally don't hit in circuit training.0 -
"Lifting gives you a better burn during exercise too: Doing a circuit of eight moves (which takes about eight minutes) can expend 159 to 231 calories. That's about what you'd burn if you ran at a 10-mile-per-hour pace for the same duration. "
Am I reading this right? A good 8-minute weight training session = an average of 200 calories burned? Does this factor in how weight training will keep burning calories post-work out?
I don't think so, I think they meant, that 1 trip through the circuit is about 8 minutes, and you would do a circuit 3 to 5 times depending on your level. I find it hard to believe that the in-training calorie burn would be 200 cals for 8 minutes, maybe with the total burn for the after exercise recovery, but not in 8 minutes unless maybe if you were very out of shape and worked the circuit really fast and furious.
Although I agree, 8 minutes of HIIT training might produce something like that. But that means 3 to 4 minutes of maximum HR time. Which you normally don't hit in circuit training.
Thanks - that did seem a bit high. Doing CIRCUTS of eight moves, etc. etc., makes far more sense.0 -
Thank you for posting this.0
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Like you said I don't want to bulk up, so is it ok do do it every day?
See my link You don't have enough testosterone to bulk up
Sounds good to me thanks for the links. 0
This discussion has been closed.
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