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FITNESS TALK

Stretching out To fit in shape

But why should a woman lift weights? After all, they are not inclined to build large muscles. But not to worry because scientists have proved that a woman’s body produces very less testosterone, the male hormone is responsible for building large muscles.

Says Robert Keith, Professor of Nutrition and Food Science at Auburn University, Alabama: “The resting metabolic rate [the speed at which calories are utilised] of a person depends on his/her body composition. The one, who trains with weights and eats properly, carries more lean muscle mass. Lean muscle tissue is metabolically more active than fat cell.”

Researchers have contended that training with weights to increase lean muscle mass is the best way to increase the metabolic rate. But, lean muscle here need not necessarily mean big muscles.

According to Heidi Paa of Nebraska University, a woman can gain about 80 per cent the strength of a man while gaining less than a tenth of his size.

Training hard at the gym does not build huge muscles but produces a lean, toned appearance which women desire. But, to achieve that, the workout should be reasonably tough. A woman should not train in a manner that she doesn’t even feel that she has exercised her muscles.

International Sports Sciences Association, the premier institution that certifies the best physical trainers in the world, includes weight training in its curriculum to help combat osteoporosis and age-related disorders.

Women with certain medical conditions and those who are pregnant also benefit from weight training. But, they should always follow the guidance of a well-informed doctor and trainer as they would have to avoid certain exercises and also train without exerting themselves.

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