Ladies don't be afraid to lift weights

As a Jersey Boy / New Yorker living in a small town, I graduated from Iowa State University in 2006 -- and it has been a dream of mine to move to the countryside since I was young. The people in Iowa are the best! Respectful, friendly, hardworking and loyal are only a few of the many words that come to my head when describing Iowans.

In this blog we will discuss topics of my true passions: fitness tips, healthy recipes and strength and conditioning.

I'm currently working to get my Strength and Conditioning Certification and working towards a master degree on teaching.

My favorite quote is by Dan Gable: "The 1st period is won by the best technician. The 2nd period is won by the kid in the best shape. The 3rd period is won by the kid with the biggest heart." What can I say, the man is an amazing athlete!

Though I am a certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and a certified Olympic Weight Lifting Coach, the advice I give is not written in stone and is not meant to substitute a doctor's recommendations. These are just tips that have worked for athletes and regular clients I have trained in the past. That is why if you have a more educated recommendation to share in this blog...GO FOR IT!

So for my first posting here is a tip for the ladies:

Don't be afraid to lift weights! I have met lots of women that will keep weightlifting to a minimum in their workout routines in fear of bulking up.

Ladies, have no fear of bulking up! Why? Because women just don't have enough hormone levels to create that type of anabolic environment for massive muscle growth.

Cardio alone will not do the trick if your goal is to tone up and lose weight. By adding some weights to your exercise routine it will benefit you more than cardio alone.

So ladies, the moral of the story is not to fear bulking up from lifting weights. You will benefit more at the end by slimming down and toning up from a greater caloric burn.