Yes, I'm a professional athlete. Yes, I lift weights, a lot... normally 3-times a week. But most-importantly I'm a woman and I want to keep my feminine physique. So if you're on the fence about whether or not you should lift weights to get your body tight and toned, then consider these words.

There are many differences between you and the body-builder that you’re imagining in your head. Weights are such an effective tool to help you get the body you dream of so it’s time to let go of that weight-room taboo. Remember these things as you’re debating whether or not to bench press:

1. There is a natural progression to weight-lifting and you have to burn off fat before you can start building muscle. Don’t be afraid of the burn!

2. The burn that you feel while you’re weight-lifting is not your growing muscles, it’s just lactic acid build-up which is the body’s natural reaction to heavy lifting. No you’re not really any bigger after lifting weights.

3. That swollen feeling that you feel after lifting weights is not your newfound bulging muscles, but rather it is your body increasing the blood flow and bringing extra nutrients to the muscles that you just worked.

4. Remember High Reps plus Less Weight equals the recipe for success, if you want to tone up without bulking up.

If you feel like you’re ready to take the plunge, but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few exercises that you can try from home using small dumbbells.

Short Shoulder Circuit
Seated Bench Press

View Tutorials for these Exercises