The Special Benefits Of Exercise For Women

Keeping fit is important for everyone, and most people are aware that fitness and exercise really go together. However, exercise for women is not necessarily the same as the type of activity that benefits men. Women and men have different health issues, and women’s and men’s bodies function in different ways.

One reason why women need a different type of exercise from men is that women have less muscle mass, and their joints, tissues and ligaments are smaller. This means that the muscle-building exercises that men enjoy could actually cause injury to women, who require more emphasis on posture, joint stability and muscle balance. In addition, women store and burn fat in a different way from men, and they need to maintain their levels of human growth hormone, or HGH, to reduce their risk of breast cancer and other serious conditions.

For these reasons, exercises that benefit men, such as working out at the gym, and body building activities, are not so likely to benefit women. Among the most highly recommended women’s activities are attendance at Pilates and aerobics classes. It is well known that Pilates strengthens the core of the body and improves alignment and balance, while both aerobics and Pilates strengthen the bones and muscles, and boost circulation.

Other activities that are ideal for women are the so-called sprint exercises, such as stepping, cycling, brisk walking, and particularly swimming. These can increase HGH levels by more than 500 percent. Swimming particularly benefits women, because it improves posture and flexibility, without putting extra strain on connective tissue and joints.

For women, of course, exercising is not only about health, but about beauty too. It not only makes for a slim figure, but enhances the look of the hair and skin. One of the most special benefits of exercise is that beauty and fitness are so closely intertwined.