Many times, women have been discouraged from lifting weight. Some for health reasons, others because they say it is not lady like.

Many fitness experts have come out to give reasons women should lift weights.

In this piece that is written by Chinese Obinwanne, founder of Naijafitmoms fitness coach and culled from LiveStrong.co, will convince women to add it to their work out routine.

MORE CALORIE BURN: Although cardio burns more calories than strength training during your 30-minute sweat session, lifting weights burns more overall. It all goes back to building muscle. It takes more energy (calories) for your body to maintain muscle cells than it does fat cells. So by lifting weights to add more muscle mass, you’ll boost your metabolism and turn your body into a more efficient fat-burning machine.

MUSCLE MASS MAINTENANCE : Research shows that between the ages of 30 and 70, women lose an average of 22 percent of their total muscle. What’s even more upsetting is that over time, the muscle void is often filled with fat. Lifting weight fixes this.

BUILDS STRONGER BONES: Lifting weights can be your best defense against osteoporosis, a disease affecting a good percentage of women.

HEALTHIER HEART: research shows lifting weights can be a powerful way to protect your heart in the long run.

REDUCED RISK OF DIABETES : Lifting weights helps improve the way your body processes sugar, which can help prevent diabetes.

BUILDS CURVES : Lifting weights helps you accumulate more muscle mass which leads to a leaner, curvier and toner physique (many women who love to have great figure will love this benefit)