Men and women approach the challenge of putting
together a great exercise program much differently
from each other. Men tend to focus on one area
of exercise with a short term goal in mind.
That is to say, they want to "bulk up"
to get a muscular build, particularly in the
upper body and probably to look good in their
clothes for one reason - to impress women.
But many men focus their exercise on a specific
sport because of the fun of challenge of that
sport. So if the sport is basketball, that
guy will work hard on speed and endurance
in running and in balance and the muscles
it takes to shoot a great basket. Again the
goal is not general good physical fitness.
The goal is the fun of the game and winning.
This is not to say that a program of total
fitness for women will not have short term
goals. But it seems easier for girls to design
and stick with an exercise program that is
well balanced in all aspects of physical fitness
and which results in better overall health.
A program of total fitness for women will
bring in components of each of the major health
focus areas that must be addressed for a program
to be well balanced. Those areas would include
a good cardiovascular workout, strength and
toning training for firmer muscle systems
and a well developed emphasis on stretching.
It is a mistake to put emphasis only on any
one of these focus areas. If you only do weight
training for the purpose of muscle tone and
strength, these exercises are not going to
help you lose fat which is often a big indicator
that your exercise program is working. The
smart combination of running, swimming or
other cardio intensive activities with weight
training results in an increase in the muscle
tone of your body as the fat ratio in the
body decreases.
Then when muscle replaces fat, you don't
drop down to a "slinky little waif"
but transform from your former shape into
a shapely and sexy woman. That healthy glow
that will come from your devotion to a well
rounded diet and exercise discipline is far
sexier and more attractive to everybody around
you than either extreme of being overweight
or underweight can give to you.
Sometimes it's easy for us to forget the
importance of stretching as part of your exercise
program. Too often we see stretching in the
same way we view flossing our teeth. It's
something we ought to do but it's boring so
skip it. But stretching is as much a big part
of your exercise program as that aggressive
sprint during your run or finishing that last
set of 10 lifts during weight training.
Stretching IS exercise because it is the
first step of engaging your muscles in the
act of working out. Often after stretching
you will already sense your heart rate increasing
and feel the effects of the workout in your
muscles. So be sure that one third of your
fitness program is devoted to stretching and
you will work out better and sustain fewer
injuries as well.
Its easier for women to put together a balanced
program of exercise. Its easier for women
to stick with that program because a balanced
program leaves you feeling refreshed and energized
to get out there and take the world by the
horns and tame it. So put some energy and
planning into creating a well balanced program
of exercise. As that program shapes you and
makes you healthier and stronger with each
passing week, you will be glad you put the
thought into how you work out well in advance.
And your body will thank you too.
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