Strength Training For Weight Loss

 The common fear is that strength training will add bulk and therefore add weight. But this is a myth. Strength training will build lean muscle and burn some of that fat. So in the long run, you not only become stronger, but you can lose weight as well. Women, in fact, are more likely to tone up from strength training rather than bulk up.

So what part of the body should you work? All of it – your upper body, abs, and lower body.


 Here are some exercises for the upper body:

• Pushups
• Dumbbell Side Exercise
• Chest Press
• Dumbell Shoulder Raise
• Lat Pull Down
• Tricep Kick Back
• Dumbell Shoulder Press
• Bicep Curl

For your abs, try these:

• Crunches
• Crunch w/Twist
• Reverse Crunch

Last but not least is your lower body. While the legs are sometimes forgotten during strength training, they are  very important. The reason for this is large muscle groups like the ones in your legs burn more fat and help you last longer during aerobic exercise. The key is finding exercises that specifically work your quads, hamstrings and calves  Here are a few lower body exercises:

• Forward Lunges
• Squats ( This would have to be one of the best exercises)
• Leg extension and Leg curl on a machine 

Make sure to give your body a rest after a strength workout. Which ever part or parts of the body you work, give it two days’ rest before you work it again. This gives the muscles time to repair themselves and allows your metabolism to do its thing. And before you know it, you will not only be strong, but on the way to hitting your weight goal.