Lean Muscle Fact Check. Part 1: Women
Aug 22, 2018
If you’re afraid strength training will suddenly transform you into Mr. Olympia, put your fears at rest.
Shredding the Myths
Men are expected to be strong. Somehow, women are supposed to be strong, too. Just not too strong, right? So society gives a strong solution – “tone muscle.” But wait! Even tone muscle has confusion and disagreement surrounding it.
Perfect. Let’s shred the myths, and the unfounded beliefs behind them.
Myth #1: Strength training will make me manly
Alright ladies, lifting weights will NOT make you look like a man. Have you ever seen the arms on Cameron Diaz or Venus Williams? Tell me seriously, do you think either of them are manly? Didn’t think so.
Myth #2: Spot reducing is possible
You don’t want massive muscle like Phil Heath, but you also don’t want the stomach flab. So you attempt to spot reduce, zealously targeting areas of your body to tone and lose weight. You want that tone muscle in all the right places.I hate to break it to you, but there is almost ZERO research to suggest that spot reducing works. Working on developing tone muscle in an area won’t guarantee weight loss there.
But wait…there’s good news! By committing to building lean muscle you are helping your body burn fat faster. Though you’re not spot reducing, in time those trouble areas can look fab, not flab.
Myth #3: Women should only use light weights for lean muscle
You’ve probably been told by almost everyone to use light weights and do a lot of reps because, “Lifting heavy weights will make you heavy.” Not true! Here’s why:
- Strength training is more than lifting weights
- The strongest women are often the leanest
- Huge muscle mass is built over time
- Muscle is not going to make you feel big, excess fat does
- Light Weights should be a starting point for proper mechanics
- Strength training is about increased demand on muscle, not using a set weight
What is your experience with toning up? Join us on Facebook and tell us how you personally overcame some of these myths and developed killer muscle tone. Inspire us and others with your story!
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