Women’s fitness FAQ

Women’s fitness FAQ Related Information:

Is exercise recommended for women of all ages and at all stages in life?

Exercise and fitness can help women of all ages. Women enjoy just as many benefits from being fir as men do. Even during pregnancy, women a re encouraged to be as fit as possible so that their bodies are strong enough to carry the fetus for nine months and to endure the rigors of childbirth. Exercising during pregnancy has many advantages, provided there are no complications that would not permit you to exercise. Exercise is also beneficial for older ladies. The research that has been done about exercise shows that women who walk on a regular basis have fewer problems with the hips. There is actually a difference of between 20 and 50% reduction in the number of hip fractures among women who walk on a regular basis than those who do not. For women who are going through menopause, exercise can help to reduce the frequency and strength of hot flashes. The benefits of exercise for weight loss are well known because the exercise helps to burn the calories and tone up the muscles, thus burning off the extra pounds. When women who exercise regularly during their lifetime reach the older years, they have stronger bones. This helps to prevent osteoporosis, which is caused when bones start to lose much of their density.

What sort of benefits can women expect from exercising?

There are many benefits, both physical and mental, and the type of benefits can depend upon the level and type of exercise. Some of the benefits available with most exercising include:

• Increasing stamina
• Raising the body’s metabolic rate
• Burning calories
• Relieving stress
• Improving the health of the heart
• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing the risk of osteoporosis

What sort of training or exercise is best suited to me?

This will depend upon your capabilities as well as your own preference. Many women find cross training most beneficial. Using an elliptical machine cuts down on the amount of time you have to spend exercising because this type of fitness equipment works all the major muscle groups in the body by providing a low impact, high intensity workout. Twenty minutes a day combined with a healthy eating plan will help you to lose those unwanted pounds.

What if I have medical problems? Could exercise prove harmful?

This depends on the medical condition. If you have any doubts at all you should check with your doctor before embarking upon any special diet or exercise program, as you could end up doing yourself more harm than good. Your doctor will be able to advise whether you should restrict your activity, and also what sort of activity might benefit you most.

What should a good women’s fitness program cover?

Each woman’s fitness program should include some basic elements – strength training, weight loss, flexibility training and aerobic exercise. Strength training is what brings about the most noticeable effects of exercising. It creates strong bones and ligaments to support the joints and lessen the likelihood of injury. It also helps to increase bone density and enables you to have more energy for all the daily activities you have to complete. Flexibility training maximizes the flexibility of the muscles and increases the blood flow to all parts of the body. It also lessens the risk of having low back problems by reducing the stress on the spine. Losing the excess weight will also help to have more energy and stamina but the greatest effect that this usually has on women is the increased self-confidence they have because of how they feel about what they have accomplished and how they look.

Can I lose weight and improve fitness simply by healthy eating without exercise?

Although switching to a healthy eating regime will promote weight loss providing you are eating below the daily recommended number of calories for weight maintenance, the weight loss can be far slower. In addition to this, you will not get the same fitness benefits that you would with a combined healthy eating and exercise plan, such as improved tone and muscle, more energy, and stronger bones for example.