Myths About Weight Training for Women: Busted!

1. Only men need to weight train.

This myth is not only wrong but potentially hazardous. You can do as much cardio as you want, and you will build some muscle doing it -- but if you're not doing any kind of resistance training, you're sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Worse, this is one of the more dangerous myths about weight training for women, because building muscle lessens your risk of osteoporosis -- something all too many women fall victim too.

2. Muscle weighs more than fat.

Actually, muscle and fat weight exactly the same. What gives rise to this myth is that muscle is denser than fat. That means more muscle occupies a smaller space. Your weight might go up even if you're losing inches because you've packed more muscle into a smaller space.

Keep in mind, though, that building muscle will cause you to lose inches. This is one of those myths about weight training for women that is so close to the truth it does you no real harm to believe it.

3. When women build muscle, they wind up looking like body builders.

Those women you see in body-building competitions work awfully hard to get those muscle-bound figures. You're not likely to get one by accident! In fact, building muscle will give you a lean, healthy appearance. You'd be surprised how many models, actresses, and the like rely on weight training to maintain sleek, toned bodies.

4. Muscle isn't necessary to weight loss.

Muscle is fantastic because it not only takes up less space than fat, it uses more calories! Even when you're just sitting there staring into space, muscle burns calories fat won't. With increased muscle mass comes increased metabolism, meaning you can eat more without gaining weight! Now these are myths about weight training for women that deserve to get busted.

So next time you head for the gym, don't let yourself forget about resistance exercises! Scrap those myths about weight training for women and start building muscle today!