A really beautiful thing that has happened lately is that standards and expectations have shifted in such a way that women are starting to see the value of being physically strong instead of just skinny and petite. Now, weightlifting and strength training are seen as common, normal, recommended parts of any woman’s health routine.
But what if you want all of the benefits of being strong and having good muscle mass but you don’t enjoy the monotony of weight lifting or the environment of the gym? Well, the good news is that there are other things you can do that will help you build strength and muscle without having to pick up a barbell.
Calisthenics
Calisthenics is a type of exercise that is typically performed with little to no equipment, mainly using the body’s own weight as the primary form of resistance that helps you build strength and put on muscle. Calisthenic exercises include things like push-ups, pull-ups, burpees, and handstands. What’s great about calisthenics is that it can also be really fun because it can feel like learning to do tricks.
Pole Fitness
While pole dancing was once seen as the arena of adult dancers, it’s since developed into a legitimate form of self-expression and exercise and one that is incredibly difficult. Pole athletes have to have tremendous upper body strength to do what they do.
Swimming
Swimming is another good exercise for building strength because the water serves as a form of resistance for your muscles as you move through it, helping you develop full-body strength.
