More than 36 million American women use dumbbells to shed and sculpture their bodies. Fitness instructors and personal trainers promise that strength training build muscles which will accelerate the metabolism. Despite the dream of a svelte physique, weight lifting does not provide the results many women aspire.

But in the opinions of researchers, the link between weight loss, lean muscles and weight lifting is flawed in a couple of ways. Primarily, muscles are not the miracle calorie melt-aways they are touted to be. Although, weight training improves muscle development and metabolism, insufficient evidence proves the caloric burn induces significant weight loss.

Additionally, innumerous women neglect to perform all of the intricate steps to develop more active muscles. For example, many lady weight lifters lift too light a weight. The problem is compounded when they fail to progress to a heavier weight. Another muscle factor faux pas is when women diet during a weight lifting program. It is virtually impossible to increase muscle with reduced calories.

Nonetheless, regular regimens of resistance training offer many benefits; particularly, when executed properly. It reduces body fat levels coupled with helping preserve bone mass. It may thwart the loss of muscles during weight loss. However, the concept that weight training can increase calorie burning is a misnomer.

Publications such as “Smart Girls Do Dumbbells,” “Lift Weights to Lose Weight” and “8 Minutes in the Morning,” feed the myth on how building muscles empowers the metabolism to accelerate weight loss. The mistake most women make when they incorporate bodybuilding with a cardiovascular exercise is the tendency to abandon the aerobic training. In essence, weight training is a fitness necessity; however it should be done in moderation and in conjunction with cardiovascular exercise.