I had a pretty good workout yesterday. I find that after a good challenging race (ie Rare Xfit Race) that I tend to see an improvement in some areas of my workout — my cardio seemed better yesterday. But have I mentioned it’s super hot ….like Arizona Hot which is not good for the DC area. I lived in Arizona and there is little humidity.  Northern VA – at least 50% which makes it un-enjoyable in every aspect.

workout:
Ran 1 mi
Various strength training
bosu push-ups
15mins on stairclimber
core:
Stability ball crunches
ball lifts

Should Females Train Differently Than Males?.

I saw the topic below come up on one of the blogs I read and thought it was a good reminder to post.  Strength training for women will NOT bulk you up like a man. It is actually a VERY important part of a woman’s workout and exercise regime. It will help you perform better and also will benefit you later in life — think old lady hunched over and super weak.

Overall, strength training offers female athletes the same benefits that it offers male athletes! Regardless of their sport or gender, any athlete can benefit from increased sprinting speed, strength, balance, decreased body fat levels and a reduced incidence of injuries – all of which a properly designed strength-training program can provide. Also, studies have proven that strength training can have a positive effect on bone density, which will decrease your risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Even with all of the positive research out there with regards to strength training and female athletes, I still get asked the same question all of the time, “Will I end up looking like a man if I lift weights?” The answer is, “Absolutely not!” Much of the difference in muscle mass between males and females is attributed to hormones, specifically, testosterone. On average, men produce ten times more testosterone than females. Unless you’re a female who is taking anabolic steroids or other male hormones, lifting weights will NOT make you look like a man! Also, there is a difference in muscle mass distribution between men and women, especially in the upper body. So it is important to remember that male hormones and muscle mass distribution are the two main reasons that men usually carry more muscle than woman. These are 2 of the main factors why men who strength-train look more “bulky” than females who strength-train.