"Do I need to lift weights to get lean and toned?"

"I don't want to bulk-up!"

"Do I need to lift weights to get lean and toned?"

This is a legitimate concern for many people, women in particular, as we don’t all aspire to look like professional bodybuilders. I know I don’t!

If you are trying to lose weight, lose body fat, and build a lean and fit physique, the answer is Yes! You do need to lift weights.

Well, let me rephrase that, you need to incorporate some type of resistance training into your workouts if you want real results. Now this could come in the form of bodyweight exercises, machines, resistance bands, cables, medicine balls, or just about any other type of resistance training equipment.

First off, let me start by saying that building muscle is hard work for a man, and even more so for a woman. And building big bulky muscles is extremely difficult. Simply lifting a broomstick over your head a few times is not going create gigantic bulging muscles.

Lifting weights will give your body definition.

When you see someone with big bulky muscles (maybe more than you would care to have), realize that it has taken them many years of very hard work and discipline to achieve that look. Also know that they are intentionally trying to achieve that look, and it did not happen by accident. Nor did it happen overnight.

They are using a training program that is conducive to building big bulky muscles, and they are eating in a way that will allow that to happen. We are not looking to get big and bulky, so we will eat and train in a way that will achieve a lean and athletic appearance.

Secondly, and this is for the ladies, it is far more difficult for a woman to build large muscles than it is for a man. One of the key ingredients in muscle growth is testosterone. Women have about 1/7th the amount of testosterone as men, making it that much harder to build big bulky muscles. The women bodybuilders you see on TV are, for one, probably taking steroids, and two, are deliberately training for this type of look. We will not be training for this type of look!

Do not be afraid of building a little lean muscle. Be afraid of losing it!

Straight forward fitness tips and advice at  http://www.fittplan.com

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