Strength Training For Teenage Girls: Breaking Myths And Building Confidence

Written by Kaushiki Gangully

Published: October 14, 2024

Table of Contents

Debunking Myths And Building Confidence In Teenage Girls

Strength Training Makes Teenage Girls Bulky
Strength Training Is Too Complicated
Strength Training, Bodybuilding, And Power Lifting Are The Same
Teenage Girls Should Use Lighter Weights And Do More Repetitions
Yoga And Cardio Is Enough For Female Teens
Strength Training Makes Teenage Girls Appear Masculine

Conclusion

Strength training is an important physical regime that can transform the lives of your teenage girls. In the 21st century, teenage girls need to be independent and take care of themselves in every way. This ranges from changing a punctured tire to lifting heavy weights and furniture when necessary. But why do most female athletes and teenagers drop out of training and sports by the age of 14? Is it because of societal pressure, familial problems, the desire to look and live a certain way, or shyness in a male-dominated profession? While the answers can be complicated, strength training and dedication do not have to be. Since strength training has multiple health benefits, from improving bone health to increasing strength to enhancing mood and heart health, teenage girls must be introduced early. If your female kid has been into sports since childhood, the journey ahead in strength training will only get easier and more interesting. If not, do not worry, here is a quick guide on breaking myths and building confidence in your teenage girls for strength training.

Debunking Myths And Building Confidence In Teenage Girls

1. Strength Training Makes Teenage Girls Bulky

In reality, strength training helps preserve lean mass in teenage girls, preventing muscle loss while reducing weight. Also, a combination of cardio and weight training helps your teenage girls gain toned curves. Their muscles will never be as bulky as male teens due to lower testosterone levels. Instead, your teenage girls will feel fit, flexible, healthy, and strong while sporting killer confidence and a toned, lean physique.

2. Strength Training Is Too Complicated

Strength training is easy and ranges from free-hand exercises at home using your own body weight and gravity to mild equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands to exploring proper exercise machines like chest presses and calf raises. All it requires is guidance, a clear understanding of posture, a little consistency, and a sense of adventure. Introduce your female teens to basic strength training exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, squats, planks, and more to make the transition smoother.

3. Strength Training, Bodybuilding, And Power Lifting Are The Same

Many people tend to lump all types of weightlifting together, but all three hold different definitions and utilities. While strength training focuses on increasing strength, fitness, and resilience, it differs from the other two. Powerlifting focuses on how much weight a person can lift in an attempt, while bodybuilding concentrates on building muscle size, definition, and aestheticism. Confusing the three for female teenage athletes is dangerous as the latter two are not recommended for youngsters to lower the risk of life-altering injuries.

4. Teenage Girls Should Use Lighter Weights And Do More Repetitions

It is a foolish notion to associate teenage girls with delicacy and fragility when they endure the strains of puberty and menstruation. Similarly, there is no fixed rule about assigning lighter weights to female teens and doing more repetitions. This is an old trick to build endurance so they can move on to the next stage of strength training with increased stamina and ready to bear more weight. If your female teen is an active kid, do not waste much time in building endurance separately; move on to more intermediate exercises and practices, involving resistance bands and kettlebells.

5. Yoga And Cardio Is Enough For Female Teens

Strength training is crucial for females of all ages, not only teenagers, as it aids in every aspect of life, from improving flexibility to preventing weak bones to enhancing muscle strength to boosting mood and stamina. Yoga and cardio are great exercise options for all teens, not only girls. And since it is advised to get a day’s rest between strength training sessions to get proper rest, it is ideal to practice it 3 to 4 times a week, with the other days in between being engaged in yoga or cardio.

6. Strength Training Makes Teenage Girls Appear Masculine

Strength training focuses on enhancing your female teen’s feminine curves instead of making them appear masculine. No matter how much strength training your female teen engages in, she will not look masculine or get very high levels of testosterone. Instead, your teen can control how much lean muscle mass she wants and engage in strength and weight training accordingly. The goal is to be strong and fit for your teenage girls, with a toned and lean figure, not fight armed space invaders with bulging muscles.

Conclusion

Teenage girls should focus on their physical well-being and fitness goals for their own sake. The entire world may be at their doorstep to criticize them, but success and security are bound to be in their grasp if they feel strong, fit, and confident enough. Start breaking myths and building their confidence with strength training today.