Have a Happy & Healthy New Year! - the Parklander

SPORTS
Why Would a Woman Ever Want to Lift Weights?
By Barbara Schuman, CPTS
FFive years ago my mother asked me this as I was rushing off to my
workout. It was a compelling question asked by a 75-year-old woman to
her then 49 year old daughter.
After I recovered from thinking that maybe my mom might be
criticizing me…I realized it was an important question that required a
thoughtful response.
At the time, I knew in my gut that lifting weights was satisfying. It felt
physically and emotionally empowering. I had a lot of turmoil in my life in
those days and as I lifted dumbbells, my spirits were raised.
I had seen the toning and firming effects on my arms and was praying
that, if I continued diligently, I would see that same positive results on my
butt and thighs.
It wasn’t until I enrolled in the Fitness Institute International, one of
this country’s most highly respected personal training programs, that I
actually came to understand what was going on inside my body. I
committed myself to an extremely challenging certification program that
would consume my life for 18 months, so that I could share professionally
what I had come to appreciate for myself.
So today, as a 54 year old Certified Personal Trainer, I can answer my
mom’s question in a more meaningful way.
If you are a woman…why would you want to lift weights?
Let’s start with the obvious…
If you commit to strength training 20-60 minutes, 2-3 days per week
you are going to increase your strength. Just carrying your purse through
the mall or blow-drying your hair can be totally exhausting if you are out
of shape!
A decrease in bone mass is a natural process of aging, especially after
menopause. Bones lose mineral density and become brittle, breaking
easily. Weightlifting, also called resistance training, promotes your rate of
bone development and slows the speed of bone mineral decline. It is never
too late to get started. A broken hip or fractured wrist can really make your
life miserable.
104 JANUARY 2007
Most women start to experience weight gain as they hit 40 or 50. We all
say, “I guess my metabolism has slowed down” or “where did this fat come
from on my waist and my back?” At 40 years old you begin to lose about
one half pound of muscle per year. That is five pounds of muscle each
decade! Muscle cells are extremely active and burn a lot of calories. The
more lean muscle you have, the more calories you will burn. You can kick
up your metabolism with weightlifting. Research has shown that regular
weight training boosts your metabolic rate by about 15%, even long after
your workout…even while you are sitting on the couch watching TV!
Let’s look at what really motivates people to do strength training…the
anti-aging effect! A toned and well-shaped body looks healthier
and younger.
If you are anything like me, I was embarrassed to go to a gym because I
did not know what I was doing. I felt uncomfortable because I did not
know how to get started and I was afraid that I might get hurt. Hiring a
trainer to teach you proper form and to design a program especially for
your needs can be the wisest thing that you ever do. My mom finally
agrees and has hired me!
Barbara Schuman is a certified personal trainer from Mind over Matter in
Coral Springs. E-mail her at schuman@theparklander.com.