What is Muscle Tone, and How Do You Get It?
What is Muscle Tone, and How Do You Get It?
Strength Training Enhances Muscle Tone.
When we talk about women and their bodies, it’s crucial to shift the narrative away from just trying to shrink down and focus more on building strength, muscle, and overall health, wellness, and fitness. I’ve been talking about the misconception that lifting weights or engaging in strength training will make women bulky, and I will continue to do this because it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Strength training not only enhances muscle tone, and a great physique but also boosts metabolism, improves bone density, and increases overall strength and functionality. It’s about changing the thoughts and fallacies around women feeling strong and capable in their bodies, not conforming to unrealistic societal standards of thinness.
What is ‘Muscle Tone’, and How Do You Get It?
Muscle Tone refers to the state of tension when it’s at rest. It’s what gives muscles a firm, defined appearance even when they’re not actively contracting. So when a muscle is ‘toned’, it means that it has a certain baseline activity level, that keeps it slightly contracted even when it is not in use. This tension is also what helps to maintain great posture, support our joints, and provide us that stability to the body that we all want and need.
Achieving this ‘toned muscle’ often involves a combination of factors, including regular exercise and movement, particularly strength training, and maintaining a healthy diet, making mindful choices, keeping an eye on your calorie intake – and here’s something to think about; just because the packet says it’s healthy, does not mean that it is!
Strength training exercises such as lifting weights, resistance training, even if it means bodyweight exercises to begin with, help to increase muscle mass and improve muscle tone by stimulating muscle fibres to grow and become stronger.
Nutrition is paramount to reducing fat mass so that when body fat is reduced can help enhance the underlying muscle, making it more visible.
Strong Is The New Skinny!
Will You Get Too Muscly From Lifting Weights?
You will never have to worry about getting too muscly from lifting those weights! Here’s why; the process of building a strong and fit body takes dedication, consistency, and hard work.
It’s not about quick fixes or extreme diets; it’s about making sustainable lifestyle changes that prioritise health, strength, and wellness. Women who embrace strength training are investing in their long-term health and well-being, rather than succumbing to the pressure to constantly shrink themselves to fit into a narrow definition of beauty. I think that a person who has a defined physique, where you can see lean muscle definition is a thing of beauty!
What Other Effects Does Strength Training Have On Us?
Moreover, building muscle and strength can have a transformative effect on confidence and self-esteem. When women focus on what their bodies can do rather than how they look, they develop a sense of self-assurance and knowing of their physical capabilities. it’s about celebrating strength, resilience, and determination, rather than obsessing over numbers on a scale or dress size.
Ultimately, when you see a woman with a fit strong body, recognise the hard work and dedication that went into building it. Instead of judging based on appearances, celebrate her strength and courage to defy societal norms and prioritise her health and well-being. Let’s shift the conversation from shrinking to growing, from limitation to empowerment, and from insecurity to confidence.