Is strength training necessary?

pleasepleaseno

I don't wanna be buff or anything. I just want to be thin. So do I really have to do anything besides cardio? I HATE anything besides cardio haha. I can run, bike, swim, all that junk, NO PROBLEM; when it comes to crunches, training with weights and all that crap, I hate it. So do I actually have to do it? All comments appreciated

bachooka

No you don't have to...but you should... Because if your new looser skin has nothing to rest upon, it will be droopy and sad. Unless you eat a huge overage of calories and do heavy lifts for few reps, you won't look like the she hulk.

spaingirl2011

First of all, you can't gain muscle on a deficit. Secondly, women's bodies aren't designed to get really buff (you won't turn into one of those super weight lifting champions just by lifting weights). What will happen, is you will tone your body, often you'll look slimmer and better defined than what the scale says, you'll burn calories faster, and you'll fit better into clothing. Weigh the benefits for yourself!

taso42_DELETED

Check this thread.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/328354-women-strength-training-for-real

sc1572

don't go overboard but do a little

miovlb6

This recent thread has some interesting info regarding your question:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/328354-women-strength-training-for-real

chevy88grl

Necessary? Well, I suppose not. But, I want to look lean and toned - not saggy and flabby. Unfortunately, if you don't build any muscle - you will end up with the "skinny fat" look.


As a woman, it is impossible for to get all buff unless you are taking supplements. You don't have enough testosterone in your system to make you "buff"or big.

Cardio burns the fat off, but strength training is what makes you look nice and toned. I doubt anyone wants to have saggy, hanging skin left after losing weight - strength training will counteract that.

BigCed77024

@Jocelyn you won't turn into a bodybuilder by doing weight training. I would suggest light weights and 20-30 reps. I actually train my female clients to do 60-90 seconds of continuous reps not using more than 20-30lbs per exercise. It develops lean muscle and makes you stronger in the process.

ShrinkinMel

You can train without getting buff. In fact unless you eat a TON of protein and train very hard with heavy weights and/or use steroids you(as a women) would not likely get super buff.

But I think you should because lean muscle helps us burn more calories and the fat stores.

melaniecheeks

No you don't HAVE to...

But those of us who recommend it have found it gives really good results - I go to Body Pump class which is fun, for starters, and back in December I started lifting heavier there.

Since then -

I have lost about 20lbs
My arms and legs look fantastic
I have much greater fitness in other classes (stronger, faster, harder, longer..) and I'm sure that's cos I now have strong muscles.

It's worth doing if you can - but if it's not your bag then it's not compulsory.

IggyL

Losing weight without any strength training could mean you are burning muscle and not all fat. If you don't want to be "skinny fat" you should incorporate some strength to keep your muscles toned.

suzycreamcheese

no you dont have to. Do it if you want to. Theres lots of benefits to it apparently, but i think the best thing with exercise is to stick to what you actually enjoy doing, to avoid it feeling like a chore.

pleasepleaseno

Does anyone know any good weight training exercises for beginners?

ninerbuff

I don't wanna be buff or anything. I just want to be thin. So do I really have to do anything besides cardio? I HATE anything besides cardio haha. I can run, bike, swim, all that junk, NO PROBLEM; when it comes to crunches, training with weights and all that crap, I hate it. So do I actually have to do it? All comments appreciated

Nope. You can lose weight and be thin without weight lifting. Problem is that as you age you metabolism slows down, you lose lean muscle tissue, and you'll have to do LONGER and LONGER sessions of cardio to compensate.

ninerbuff

Does anyone know any good weight training exercises for beginners?

Just do one exercise you LIKE for each body part. Go to bodybuilding.com's exercise section and you can see the exercises on video just by clicking a body part.

Lyadeia

There are some beginner routines on bodybuilding.com. You can pick up the Power 90 DVDs (not P90X, but the original beginner series Power 90) if you prefer working out at home. It has a couple of great beginner total body weight routines you do 3 times a week and are under 45 minutes each.

I lost a lot of weight by being a cardio junkie. I ended up skinny fat. I am currently a "healthy" weight (around 140 pounds) with a "normal" BMI. I also have a whopping 32% body fat and am completely and utterly mushy. Which is why I am now picking up heavy weight and putting it down at least 4 times a week and pretty much ditching most of the cardio I used to do. Cardio has its place, but most women put way too much emphasis on it and not nearly enough time doing weight training.

beckyinma

If you don't want to be "skinny fat" you should incorporate some strength to keep your muscles toned.

what she said.

watchmeshrink16

Bump!

Azdak

I don't wanna be buff or anything. I just want to be thin. So do I really have to do anything besides cardio? I HATE anything besides cardio haha. I can run, bike, swim, all that junk, NO PROBLEM; when it comes to crunches, training with weights and all that crap, I hate it. So do I actually have to do it? All comments appreciated

Nope. You can lose weight and be thin without weight lifting. Problem is that as you age you metabolism slows down, you lose lean muscle tissue, and you'll have to do LONGER and LONGER sessions of cardio to compensate.

Seeing as the OP is 18, I think she has a while before she really has to confront that problem.

ninerbuff

Seeing as the OP is 18, I think she has a while before she really has to confront that problem.

And going into college. You know the stats for the first year.

TK421NotAtPost

I find that similar to cardio, resistance training wasn't all that fun when I first did it. But now I'm hooked for life. I think if you give it a chance, you might like it.