I’m sure that you all have heard the stereotype that comes along with women and weightlifting. This is that if a woman lifts weights she will become “bulky and manly”, which is unattractive.

For starters, women cannot have a manly appearance due to the fact that we are women and do not produce the same testosterone levels as men. There are women out there that have a more built and muscular appearance that may even seem “manly” but there is a chance that this is achieved through the use of steroids.

I want to help break the stereotype of looking manly and bulky being a female bodybuilder. The term bodybuilder scares most, it even makes my mom freak out a bit. This is because the stereotypical bodybuilder is a man or woman that has very large muscles like this:

However, according to merriam-webster dictionary;

No where in there does it state that it makes you huge, bulky, or manly. Simply you are increasing your strength and muscle size. Those increases are determined by you as an individual, whether or not you want to build a larger amount of mass or just the slightest bit.

To me it is very important to get females more aware of the amazing benefits of weightlifting and they don’t necessarily have to identify themselves as a bodybuilder. This could just be an extra workout that they add to their daily or weekly routine.

There are many benefits that come along with resistance training, a major one that is very important for women is that is helps to increase bone density. Why is this important? Because osteoporosis is extremely common in women, as you age your bone density begins to lessen which can cause osteoporosis. Incorporating weight lifting and resistance training into your weekly routine will help to prevent osteoporosis because your bone density will be increasing. More bone mass = stonger bones. Stronger bones = less prone to breakage and injury. Doesn’t that sound like a win?

Next is appearance. You should love yourself at every stage and in every size. But, for me I have found that my confidence and self-esteem levels have gone up tremendously since I starting lifting weights. Wearing a tank top and shorts or a cute dress isn’t something I worry over anymore because of the hard work I have put into my body. Your arms won’t get huge, they will become more defined. Your legs won’t look like tree trunks, they’ll be strong and sculpted.

Along with looking more defined, there is more muscle mass. Having a greater amount of muscle mass goes along with how many calories you burn in a day. Muscle is much more dense and compact than fat therefore a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat. The muscle that you gain and exists on your body burns more calories just by living. This is because muscle burns more calories than fat.

Having strong muscles to me is empowering because hitting a new personal record in the gym gets me so excited I can’t contain myself. I can lift things on my own without having to ask others for help. I can carry all of my grocery bags into the house in one trip. I can walk up and down stairs without having to worry and I can even carry my own 50+ lb suitcase when I travel. Those everyday activities become easier and more possible because of work I put in to the weight room. And they can be that way for all women once that fear is put aside.

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Bodybuilding definition:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodybuilding

Article by OFG Trainer: Emily M.

Original article link: Click Here