HEALTH
Your Bod
Feeling insecure? This workout will banish those bad vibes
News flash: Weight lifting isn't just for dudes. In fact, it has a *ton* of benefits no matter your gender. One of the most signifigant? It can help quell your insecure thoughts. Yes, seriously. Say you need to slay that summer job interview. You can cultivate killer confidence with weightlifting (your body weight counts, too!).
Fun fact: Strengthening sessions just once a month can boost self-esteem in teen girls.
“Feeling physically strong = feeling confident,” says Darin Hulslander, owner of This is Performance personal training in Chicago. “There’s no better confidence boost than lifting a heavier weight or nailing your first pullup.”
When you’re working out at home, body weight exercises can be just as effective as pumping iron. Hulslander suggests creating your own circuit by combining four to five full-body exercises (think: pushups, bridges, planks, squats, lunges).
Do six to eight reps of each move for a total of three sets, resting no more than 30 seconds in between sets to really feel the burn. If you’re more advanced, add weights or resistance bands to your workout for an increased degree of difficulty.
What's your fave way to workout? Share in the comments.
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