Whenever I chat about cardio versus weight training, the defenders come out of the woodwork.

But let me be clear (again...!). I don't NOT like cardio, it's just that I am clear on what I want. I like, no, I LOVE weights and all it offers me.

I did cardio for years (I was a distance runner and cyclist, 10 K runs and 80+ K cycles), but I found my GOALS shifting drastically when, 30 years ago, I witnessed my first-ever woman lifting weights. I was so taken by her strength, shape, power and poise, that I switched gears. I wanted that look, that performance, that ZEST!

Lifting weights is Work, to be sure. There is a commitment involved, 4-5 days a week, and clients must be willing to compromise on certain things if they want results. And yes, in most cases, they have to go to a gym (at least on my program they do..we are NOT a home based program because it's NOT enough to see real results...we do not 'dabble in some weights after cardio', as one gym goer put it. Nope, we lift, and think about cardio later...  

Many women are moving from a cardio-based program to a weight-based program because the news is out: we need weights to ward off osteoporosis. But I would like to see WOMEN do it not just as a preventative nature, but to embrace ALL it offers: a stronger metabolism and strengthened immune system (when done our way, properly, without cutting calories or doing too much cardio!), enhanced shape and tone and structure, great posture, balance and coordination. And with the dietary changes that we use in physique training, lovely skin, nails and hair, and healthy bones! (I just had a scan done...rockin! No bone loss or shrinkage at 55 (my mom has lost 3 inches!).

Strength training women are finally being looked at by sports medicine and researchers for the effects weight training has on the female physique over the years (in particular, women who have been doing it for decades, rather than women coming into it later in life, two very different groups).

Decide what you want and make that your major. If it's Pilates, Yoga or running, then do it with all your heart. But for me and our 'tribe', we'll be the 'older gals', lifting away in the gym, as usual. For us, it's our Zen, a lifestyle, and is a culture we embrace.

At Panorama, our local recreation center, I'm often told that you can spot "Karen's gals" by their awesome shape and how they train. It's different than the norm. That's because we ARE different! We're the NEW older generation of women! (Keep rockin' it Leanne, Viola, Alison, Deb and all the rest of the tribe...you're making waves! AND you look awesome too!) XO!

Join our Warrior Woman group Coaching Program for the 40+ woman. It's accessible, cost effective, and full on! It's run through our Private FB page and my NEW web site at www.warriorwomanfitness.com