Weight Training Questions - Will Weights Bulk Up Females

Weight Training Question:
I'm a woman in her mid 20's and I really want to start weight training but I'm scared I will get all buff and huge like some of the women I see in the gym. I still want to stay feminine but just want to add a little lean muscle to help give me a more shapely physique like the girls in the fitness magazines (Oxygen, etc). If I start lifting weights, will I get too bulky and buff?

Weight Training Answer:
Since women don't have the levels of testosterone as men, they can't add that much muscle to their bodies no matter how hard they train. Many women believe if they start weight training, they will get huge like the bodybuilding women on TV. This is not the case. Those women are on male hormones and would never be able to add that amount of muscle mass without the use of anabolic and androgenic drugs.

You should work on adding weight training to your routine so you can add some fat burning muscle to your body. This is the best way to get lean. Muscle is the most active tissue in the body and will help you burn calories just sitting around. One pound of muscle burns about 50 extra calories a day.

Along with adding weight training, a great tip is to do cardio in the morning on an empty stomach. On the days you don't lift weight, wake up and head right out to the running track or gym. Do 45 minutes of cardio on an empty stomach and will tap directly into your fat stores. If you eat before cardio, it will take you 20-30 minutes just to burn up the glycogen (carbs) before hitting the fat stores.

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