I know many smart, successful women who are literally afraid to lift weights. They say things like: "Oh, I don't want to look like a man!" or "It's just not for me" or "That's a mans exercise routine."

Somehow, many women believe even a few minutes of exercising their muscles with weights will result in developing bulk, a grotesque figure. massive arms and legs like *ARNOLD* or some champion female bodybuilder who is juiced to the nines on with steroids (also called *roids* and being on them is referred to as being *juiced up*.)

What ever the cause of these myths, most of these women have not even tried it and they are simply scared of lifting weights. I hope this hub will alay some of your fears.

Where are women getting these myths? I think mainly from no where; it is simply fear. Or maybe lazy? But if you go to a gym anyway to walk/run the tread mills or whatever, you know better!

The truth is that muscles give women and men the shapes and firmness they desire so much. Most women don’t want to be over-weight, or what I like to call *skinny-fat*; meaning you don't look over weight but your muscles are limp and weak; with no definition what-so-ever. Either way you slice it up, being thin or fat are both absence of muscle...and neither look good. At least I don't think so.

Your muscles are what make your abs tight and firm. Your muscle are what makes your thighs firm and shapely. (and who doesn't like a great looking calf in a pump?) Your muscles are what make your upper arms firm. Really, your muscles define the entire look and feel of your entire body and a large part of your well-being.

Did you know that the amount of muscle mass your body has is a medical marker of aging. It measures your real age. What I mean by this is that as we age, we lose muscle mass and the less you have, the older you are. ARE - not look. This is a MAIN reason a woman of 55 can look a lot younger than her 36 year old friend. It boils down to the amount of muscle she has.

The more you know about the health benefits of strength training with weights; the more you realize it’s a totally natural fountain of youth that just happens to have positive cosmetic benefits. What more could you want? If it helps you - think if this as resistance training, as that is really what you are doing.

So who’s been telling women if they lift weights they'll end up looking like *Arnold*...?

Here are a few tips to help you begin start a weight-lifting fitness regimen and stick to it to achieve good results.It includes cardio too (but most woman don't have any problems with running and walking; palates or yoga.)

1. Talk to fitness instructors, do some research and choose a fitness program that suits your body needs. Think of it as similar to shopping for clothing. Where exercise is concerned; (just like clothes) one size does NOT fit all! You want to look really great in what ever you wear be it a great suit or sweats! In order to do that -again - it is what's underneath the clothes that makes them look oh so hot on you. But really, weight-training has many more benefits than just looking *fine*.

Each individual has different body proportions.and capabilities. Just as we all have different lifestyle habits including but not limited to eating habits, work habits, sleeping habits, etc... All this should be considered before you embark on a fitness plan, ANY fitness plan including lifting weights.

2. Set realistic goals. Losing 20 pounds in one month may sound good. However, setting unrealistic goals for yourself can totally defeat you mentally. Turning fat into muscle takes time and repetition. Do set unachievable goals! After a plan has been designed for you, stick with realistic goals. This will keep you motivated to achieve your goals and being motivated in necessary!

3. Weight-lifting needs to (or should) work on all of your bodys muscles. When muscles are targeted during exercising, more calories are burned which lessens fat content in your body. Did you know that weight lifting is also recommended for flexibility? Most women think of Yoga or the like for becoming flexible (and it is) but so is lifting weights. Find out what exercises benefit which part of your body; especially the parts you really wish to improve on, and then incorporate those required by you for your body to be at its best peak performance.

4. You can take weights as far as you want to go with them. Start out slowly with small 1 to 2 lb. weights; doing 10 to 12 reps of each exercise. That old saying "No pain - no gain" is Not really true. You do NOT need to put yourself into pain to improve your muscle mass. It just takes time, dedication, repetition and the desire to keep working at it.  Don't set yourself up for failure.

5. Although you don't *need* to, I Highly Recommend consulting with a seasoned weight-lifter to obtain your regime. Then stick with it and the results will speak for themselves!

As the Niki commercial says: "JUST DO IT!"