Flexibility and weight training...
not generally things you hear together but it appears they are directly related.
In a study at the American College Of Sports Medicine, research revealed that lifting weights can improve one's overall flexibility.
It's strange to think because for many, the idea of working your muscles is thought to tighten them, not loosen them.
But that's just a myth.
This particular study showed that after just 5 weeks of a regular weight training routine, the subjects gained just as much flexibility, if not more than if they had participated in a static stretching session each day.
Static stretching is the most common form, when you just reach for your toes and hold for a few seconds.
Most people are urged to spend 5-10 minutes at the end of a workout stretching to help with the cool down, but static stretching at the beginning isn't a good idea as it actually increases your odds of injury during your main workout time.
This is great news because such a few percentage of woman (and men) actually stretch.
The benefits of stretching and being flexible are huge: better circulation, better range of motion, smaller risk of muscle injuries (rips) and overall better athletic performance.
Weight training for women is so critical for being in the best shape possible.
And now that this report was released hopefully more women will be willing to give it a try.
The old idea that weight training will make you bulky is just that...
old idea.
It's no longer the case.
We know now that women have different hormones and body composition than men...
so you will stay ladylike but be toned, lean and now able to touch your toes.
Other benefits of weight training include: increased metabolism, better sleep, increase bone density, decreased depression, increased strength, and decrease in your risk of developing diseases such as: diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.