Is it true that strength-training will make women too muscular?

For the most part women are afraid to workout with heavier weights because they think they will “bulk up.” The truth is women naturally have less bone and muscle than men, which is why they are at greater risk of osteoporosis and injury as they age. Consistent exercise and proper nutrition will help decrease the chances of this. And don’t worry about looking like a bodybuilder. Women don’t have enough testosterone to create big, bulky muscles. To become a bodybuilder, women have to do many things that most strength-training programs don’t do, such as intense workout sessions under the supervision of professional competition trainers, eating a personalized bulking diet (sometimes consisting of at least 3000-4000 calories daily) and usually taking supplements in order to raise the levels of male hormones in their bodies. Without that, they could never achieve the big, bulky look you may see in body building magazines and competitions. So don’t be afraid to add weight training to your weekly workouts! Muscle tissue is your greatest ally in the battle of physical fitness.

I do crunches every day but my stomach is not getting any flatter...why not?

Crunches primarily work the rectus abdominis muscle (RA or the 6-pack) that runs vertically up and down your body. This muscle alone can not get the flattening job done. You need to work the transverses abdominis (TA) which runs side to side across your body and acts as your body’s natural corset. Hidden behind the RA we sometimes forget to engage this muscle when doing crunches. To engage TA, simply suck your tummy in, or think of pulling your belly button back to your spine while pulling your ribs in tighter. After engaging TA you can do a proper and more effective crunch!

Can I do BODYPUMP and the CYBEX circuit at the same time?

Since both BODYPUMP and the CYBEX circuit works the entire body (in fact, you do some of the best weight room exercises in a BP class!), you want to take a day off – either after a BP class or after the CYBEX circuit. BUT you can take a BP class, and then you’re next workout do your CYBEX circuit. This is a great routine since the BP classes emphasize endurance with repetitions and the CYBEX circuit will work on strength due to heavier weight. This will allow you to get the best of both! Experts recommend strength training 2-3 times per week, so don’t be afraid to try new things and challenge.