Yes, You Should Be Lifting Weights — but Cardio Is Still Important

There are so many strong, powerful reasons for women to lift weights aside from just becoming strong and powerful. Weightlifting is a fantastic way to boost your metabolism, get lean, build a booty, and change your body. We love seeing the shift in mindset as more and more women are adopting weightlifting as part of their routine, but we can't totally abandon cardio! The two go hand-in-hand.

"At the end of the day, fitness is about total-body conditioning," said trainer and injury-prevention expert Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, PhD candidate. "You work so hard to make your skeletal muscles strong, so you should also care about making your heart and lungs strong."

We sometimes forget that cardio is short for cardiovascular, meaning you're strengthening your heart. "An efficient cardiovascular system helps to make all of the activities you love feel easier," said Liz. "Hiking, biking, weightlifting . . . even sex!"

And let's not forget the other health benefits of cardio — you'll reduce your risk of disease (including diabetes and cancer), improve your cholesterol, and live longer. You can also fight depression with a regular cardio sesh.

So, yes, grab those heavy weights, squat those barbells, and swing those kettlebells. But don't forget about your cardio routine, even if it's just once or twice a week. It's all about balance!

Model credit: @blairintheair