In our society we often see health conscious men going to gyms. But the scenario is different for women. Many of the health issues that the girls, mothers and aged women experience can be improved through consistent exercise. The question may arise why women should go to the gym, as they can exercise at home. Stay with us to know the health benefits of exercising in gyms for women.
Top 10 Benefits for Women to Exercise in Gym
Weight Management
Several studies have shown that inactivity is mainly responsible for weight gain and obesity. It is important to know first the relationship between exercise and energy spending. Your body spends energy in the following three ways: digesting food, exercising, and maintaining body functions, especially heartbeat, breathing.
Dieting reduces calorie intake and will lower your metabolic rate which can temporarily delay weight loss.
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On the other hand, regular exercise may increase your metabolic rate which can burn more calories to help you lose weight. Moreover, combining aerobic exercise with resistance training can maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance, which is essential for keeping the weight off and maintaining lean muscle mass.
Home exercises may not bring your desired results in weight loss. To get the utmost benefit from exercise you need an instructor and equipment. For weight loss gyms have equipment like Assault bike, Elliptical, Treadmill, Rowing machine, Stair climber machine, etc.
In the gyms trainers can help you choose the right equipment and proper exercise according to your weight, and body’s condition.
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Improves Your Mood and Mental Health
From the first menstrual cycle until menopause, women experience a shifting level of estrogen and progesterone. This impacts women’s fertility patterns and moods. With the dropping of estrogen levels, women lose a natural source of the “feels good” brain chemical namely serotonin, and ultimately women become more susceptible to moodiness, depression, and anxiety attacks.
Regular exercise counters these hormonally-triggered mood swings by releasing endorphins, another mood regulator. Women who exercise can improve the symptoms of postmenopausal anxiety and depression more than those who did not exercise.
A strength workout in the gym can transform your entire outlook on fitness. Science also suggests that strength training or exercise in the gym can improve your mood and mental health. In addition to these, in a gym you will meet more health conscious women. Such engagements will encourage you to care for your own health.
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A study shows that participants who exercised in the gym showed a significant reduction in symptoms of depression because exercise releases endorphins which improve your mood, prevent pain, and fight depression.
Bone loss and osteoporosis
Females experience osteoporosis and related bone fracture more than men and loss of height as they age. Research has shown that eight out of 10 with osteoporosis are women, and half of the women over age 50 who have osteoporosis will break a bone.
This happens because women have thinner bones than men and lose bone strength due to the loss of estrogen. Most importantly, hip fracture- a consequence of osteoporosis can lead to immobility and premature death.
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However, the best way to build strong bones is an exercise that you need to start in the younger years. You can take weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises to promote bone health no matter what your age. Regular exercising in a gym can help a woman build bones and keep them strong.
You can do exercise at home. But wrong movements can cause injury and long-term pain. Therefore, talk to a fitness trainer to help you determine the best and safest exercises for your age and condition. Usually, gyms have different kinds of equipment for different purposes. You can register in your nearby gym to get just facilities.
Develops cardiovascular health
Exercise can help to improve cardiovascular health by lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, and ultimately will help to lower blood pressure. So, it promotes heart health.
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A study shows that a person's cardio exercise like walking or cycling can minimize the risk of heart disease —both types of physical activity are necessary for overall health.
However, exercising in wrong ways can hurt your health. Gyms have diverse equipment such as Ellipticals, Upright Stationary Bikes, Pedal Exercisers, Treadmills, Recumbent Bikes, Row Machines, Stair & Stepper Machines. With the help of your gym trainer you can do exercise with these equipment in a safe way.
Exercise improves sleep
Another study has discovered that women have difficulty falling and staying asleep and experience more daytime sleepiness. This happens because of new motherhood, monthly hormonal changes, and perimenopausal symptoms like night sweats.
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Hopefully, exercise has an excellent track record of improving sleep. Research shows that women who have taken 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity can improve their sleep quality. Although women may find it difficult to find time or energy to exercise regularly, now is the time to do something.
Regular physical activity in a gym can increase the production of hormones that make you feel happier and help you sleep better.
Increase your energy levels
Exercise can be a real energy booster for many people, especially for those who have various medical conditions.
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One study shows that 6 weeks of regular exercise reduced feelings of fatigue. It significantly increases energy levels for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and other health conditions. Moreover, exercise has fantastic heart and lung health benefits that help to increase energy levels.
Women can do exercise at home. But it may not always be possible to exercise for a definite time period without interruption. Find a gym, and get some ‘me’ time to care for your own health.
Improves skin health
The oxidative stress in your body affects your skin. Oxidative stress can damage the structure of the cells and negatively impact your skin. However, regular moderate exercise can actually increase your body’s production of natural antioxidants, which help protect cells and ultimately skin.
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Besides, exercise can increase blood flow and induce skin cell adaptations that can help delay the appearance of skin aging.
Brain health and memory
Exercise can improve brain function by promoting the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Besides, it can also revive the production of hormones that enhance the growth of brain cells and protect memory and thinking skills.
Promote a better sex life
A study has shown that exercise boosts sex life. Regular exercise naturally strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and tone muscles. Besides, it promotes flexibility. All of these can improve your sex life.
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Help you live longer
If you exercise the correct way like taking adequate rest and appropriate intensity, you can strength train for your entire life—all while building and maintaining the strength you need to enjoy your days and favorite activities.
Safe exercise links with longevity because it is effective at reducing the risk of all sorts of common, age-related chronic diseases. Moreover, by taking exercise regularly you may reduce the risk of diabetes.
Bottom Line
Exercise offers ample benefits that can improve every angle of your health. If you are still wondering whether the gym is good for women? The answer definitely will be ‘yes’.
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Registering in a nearby gym can encourage a woman to preserve some time from her busy schedule for exercise. Exercising in a gym, you may not get instant results. But regular exercise will bring long-term change in your mind and body that will ensure you better health and self-esteem.
However, the traditional mindset of society may not encourage women to exercise in gyms. But women should be cautious about their own healths to ensure wellbeing for their children, family, society, country, and the world. All it needs is personal commitment, self-care, and a positive mindset towards healthy living.