Body Sculpting

Why women should lift weights

Body Sculpting is two 30 minute workouts- one for overall strength and the other for core. You don't even have to use weights. For me, Sculpting isn't about showing off muscles. It's about staying strong enough to hike all day and practice yoga at a level that's challenging.

I decided to start teaching Body Sculpting after noticing:
  • upper body strength plays a large role in women's posture- from puberty throughout life
  • the extra stomach fat most women gain in life strains back muscles
  • the older you get, the less instructors seem to expect from you

Men more easily gain and maintain a strong upper body. Women have to work at it. Returning to my focus on posture, (a key part of Iyengar yoga), muscle directly impacts your ability to stay upright over the years. If you don't  like weight lifting you can still build muscle through yoga classes. 

Plank is one of the best poses for this purpose. Do it every day for a minute, either on your forearms or (best), extended arms.

Strength + Flexibility = Movement

I know a fit, agile woman in her 70's who does 70 push ups a day! It's an almost perfect exercise - and all you need is a determination and a floor.  If you can't do push ups, do plank. Just do something to stay strong.

Men like to lift free weights or use machines, but I don't recommend these options for women. Here's why:
  • we tend to stick to an exercise routine if we're with friends
  • it's really important to pay attention to your body and lift correctly, not compete with others
Don't worry about bulking up
This is the last reason to avoid Body Sculpting! Unless you're dead lifting 100 pounds, a woman simply doesn't have the hormones to bulk up. Body Sculpting might make you lose weight and tone your muscles but most clients can deal with that! 

Take a free Body Sculpting class with me any Monday night at 5:45, at LA Fitness in Lake City. You can bring a friend, but must let me know in advance. Register below.  NOTE: this is a mixed-gender gym and class.