Lifting Weights for Women: the 7 MEGA Benefits You Didn’t Know

Somewhere along the line, Mamas have gotten so completely exhausted that we sometimes don’t believe we can even take the time to stay fit, or even get fit. Walking, home workout videos, and aerobic classes seem to take too much time. And forget about strength training! Nobody has time to do circuits in the gym while there are a million and one things to get done at home, and all those munchkins to haul around all afternoon, right?

But the thing is, lifting weights for women, or strength training, has some really huge benefits! And while you may think strength training should be at the bottom of your priorities when it comes to fitness–or even stress relief–I totally disagree.

My whole philosophy is to find the magic middle ✨ between healthy and efficient to make sure healthy habits are doable on the daily. And working in strength training, whether via lifting weights for women, or isometrics in a HIIT workout can be that happy median.

It’s super easy to fit in a HIIT routine, and-although it’s a little more difficult to track with a fitness tracker like a Fitbit, there are a ton of apps you can log for HIIT routines. MyFitnessPal can also log your strength training.

But aside from that, here are the super compelling arguments for lifting weights for women:

1. Lifting Weights for Women and Anti-Aging

Did that get your attention?? Yep, strength training has been shown to slow the aging process! (HIIT technically performed better in the study, it showed a larger increase at the cellular level.) Read here about a 97-year old man that weight trains. Unbelievable and SO motivational!

2. Strength Training and Better Sleep

As soon as you give birth to your first born, you know the need for sleep like no other human on the planet. And unfortunately it doesn’t get a whole lot easier for a while. Especially when more babies are added, in addition to the normal stresses of modern life. I know SO many women that have so much on their plate that they literally can’t turn their brains off at night to sleep.

3. Strength Training and More Energy

I know this sounds sort of counter intuitive, but it’s real. Somehow, when we’re feeling fatigued, our cells are sort of in a drowsy state. But when you start to move, everything wakes up and things start percolating. And that doesn’t end when you quit working out. It helps you have more energy all day. Not to mention that you’re getting better sleep from strength training already, so it’s sort of a double whammy of awesomeness for your health.

4. Strength Training Burn More Calories

Even though per minute, cardio burns more calories–and it’s only like 2 calories–strength training still trumps it for kcal burn. The reason is that strength training induces calorie burn way after your workout as well. Plus, if you’re actually putting the correct amount of effort into it, you’re still getting some cardio while you strength train.

5. Strength Training and Stress Reduction

Stress reduction is such a HUGE part of self-care for busy Mamas. We have so much responsibility piled onto us all the time that we really have to stop and pay attention to reducing the anxieties and stress that are nearly unavoidable. Strength training also helps reduce anxiety and stress as well. Part of this also may have to do with the sleep connection, but regardless–it’s another major benefit!

6. Strength Training for Increasing Bone Muscle Density

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve read about the reduction of bone muscle density in women–especially past menopause. (Settle down–I’m not saying you’re in or even close to menopause, I’m just saying this is important in the same way your retirement account is important!) Strength training actually increases bone density because of the resistance against your muscles and bones. This is a really big deal as hormones (many of which directly affect bone density) start going haywire. Mine started in my early 30’s, I just didn’t know that’s what the problem was until later.

7. Strength Training Boosts Confidence

I don’t know about you, but I have lots of times when I feel less than…anything really. Why I love strength training is that it makes me feel strong, and the changes in my body make me more confident. Seriously. I feel better, I think I look better, and those combined make me more confident. Also I can wrestle with my husband and I’m convinced I almost win sometimes. 😉

How about you? Do you already strength train? Thinking of starting?

Let me know in the comments below!

Know someone that’s thinking of starting strength training? Please SHARE this post!