Deccan Chronicle

Don’t fret over losing femininity

CONTRARY TO PERCEPTION­S, WEIGHT TRAINING IS NOT ONLY GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT BENEFICIAL TOO. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO TONE UP YOUR BODY...

- JINNIE GOGIA CHUGH — The writer Jinnie is an internatio­nal-level athlete and has won five gold medals at the Commonweal­th Powerlifti­ng Championsh­ip.

One of the biggest myths in the fitness world is that women will look bulky or big if they take up weight training. This is possibly one of the most incorrect facts that prevail which prevents many women from taking up weight training. Weight training is one of the best and the most trusted forms of exercise and it won’t be incorrect to say that it is the only way to achieve a sculpted and toned body. A planned pattern of exercising, which will include weight training and some cardiovasc­ular activities, will give you very desirable results. You can also achieve your fitness goals easily.

Whenever you decide to join a gym and start your exercise routine, it will be wise to take the help of a fitness expert who will give you a weekly/monthly plan that needs to be followed consistent­ly. Needless to say that a balanced diet plan will be needed to get you results. Discipline and consistenc­y are the prerequisi­tes that go hand in hand when it comes to results. What follows is maintenanc­e. As they say, once you see the results, you are addicted to them and make efforts to stick to your plan.

THE REGIMEN

Weight training pattern can be done either by following a two-body part per day routine or a single body part per day routine with some cardio activity and stretching exercises. The basic exercises for the developmen­t of muscles in each body part are there and yet there are so many innovation­s and variety of exercises one can add to a workout schedule to overcome the boredom of repeating. Always remember that if you follow a single body part per day plan, then include exercises for your abs and some stretching into your workout. And in case you wish to do two body parts a week, then combine two muscle groups judiciousl­y. Always combine a big muscle group with a small muscle group. This will give you a structured pattern and also won’t tire your muscles. You will have ample recovery and growth too.

In fact, weight training will give you a shapely body, which is also curvaceous. Your muscles will develop and this will help you tone and shape up your body. A thin or lean physique doesn’t mean that you are fit. A woman’s body must be toned and shapely with a proportion­ate physique, well-developed glutes and shapely legs.

It may take you time and the results may vary from person to person but you will definitely obtain your objective. Generally, there can be a lot of variations in the weight-training schedule but they basically depend on immediate fitness goals. A basic pattern with four exercises for each body part, and four sets of each with 10 repetition­s will do wonders. Weight-lifting capacity varies, and will become intense with time and practice. But let’s focus on five basic exercises that will help you tone up, and achieve a sculpted and feminine physique. Also focus on compound movements.

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