The winter chill is at last beginning to thaw, the days are getting longer and soon it will be time to peel off the layers as we bounce into spring.

 

Usually, it's the thought of revealing what has been expertly concealed for months under knitwear and leggings that inspires us to take action; and so begins the summer diet and exercise plan.

 

In a bid to get in shape for summer, hoardes of colourful, lycra-clad ladies file out into the streets after a hard day at the office to pound the pavements, or descend upon the gym to join other like-minded women in Zumba, Spinning or Pilates classes.

 

Some women, however, have a better idea. These savvy ladies will be ditching their yoga mats to join the guys at the gym in the weights room.

 

These women aren’t bodybuilders or athletes, but part of a growing community that has discovered lifting weights as one of the best ways to lose body fat and firm up. Even celebrities are catching on; stars leading the trend include Cameron Diaz and Kelly Brook who both use weights to keep their trim and toned physiques.

 

Maybe, like many women, you avoid using weights out of fear that you might leave the gym looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Weights are often used by men who want to build muscle, so it's natural to think the same will happen to you. However, the results for women are entirely different to those of men. We do not end up looking muscular because we lack adequate levels of the male hormones required to bulk up.

 

In reality many women find that once they start lifting weights they end up in the best shape of their lives - tummies flatten, arms firm up and healthy curves develop in all the right places. If that isn’t enough, over time weight training increases our metabolic rate, meaning we burn more calories even at rest so no more crazy diets!