The Primacy of Workouts

Since a woman’s body is not exactly the same as that of a man’s, the exercise routine also needs some tweaking. The routine obviously has to be well-planned and thought out. The routine should focus not only on gaining muscle mass but should also help the body to function properly. To plan your bodybuilding workout you can consult a professional trainer who should be able to chalk out a plan for a couple of months. After you complete these months of training you can revisit the routine and make the changes that are necessary. You can also talk to established professional bodybuilders who can have important things to share which they have picked up through the years of training. For your diet, you can consult a nutritionist. The thing you have to look out for is that you have several small meals a day, you should never feel famished, and your diet should have a balanced proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fats. When we say fats, we mean unsaturated fats that are good for our health. Unsaturated fat can be obtained from olive oil and fish oil.

A lot about your bodybuilding routine will depend on the age group you belong to and the kind of structure you have. If you are starting late, then it would be better not to set too high a goal. Once we reach the age of 30, our body gets into a mould and it is very difficult to break that structure and create something new out of it. It is also difficult and in some ways risky too, to attempt the same exercise that a teenager might be able to undertake. Instead the bodybuilding routine should be less intense, with lighter weights and easier cardio vascular exercises. For a teenage girl though, the options are limitless and she would be free to pursue a very hard workout routine.

The Workout

The basic principles of women’s bodybuilding remain the same as to that of men, but there are a few adjustments that have to be made. The bodies of men and women are not exactly the same. While men have stronger upper bodies, women’s bodies are designed to have strong legs that can bear the extra weight. Also women are liable to have more fat in their bodies. This is for the simple reason that men produce large amounts of testosterone in their bodies that helps in muscle growth. Women don’t have that luxury. Therefore, the bodybuilding workout for women differs slightly from that of men.

To strengthen the upper body, it is imperative that a woman includes a lot of time in her routine for cardio vascular exercises. Some of the best exercises to try out would include treadmill workouts, aerobics, bicycling and swimming. As you can see, many of the cardio vascular exercises can be undertaken outside the gym. This allows you more time to focus on other exercises while you are at the gym. Cardio vascular exercises will strengthen your heart and help you burn the excess fat. It is best to perform these exercises early in the morning in an empty stomach.

For proper muscle growth however, cardio vascular exercises are not enough. You will have to do weight training to gain the muscle mass. Initially the weight training can accompany cardio vascular training in losing fat. Since most women gain fat in and around the hips and thighs, these are the areas that should be specifically targeted. But do focus on all your muscle groups during the weight training. Initially you will get leaner muscles but as you progress and increase the weights you pull and lift, the muscles will begin to grow. How much bulk you crave for will determine how much weight you do.

When you start off with the bodybuilding routine, stick to simpler easier exercises and don’t push your body too hard. Allow enough time for the body to recover from the wear and tear. Continue with this beginner’s routine for about 4 to 6 months before you shift to the intermediate routine which again will last for 6 months to year. The advanced level could be pursued only after that.