My name is Scott Keppel and I am the proud owner of Scott's Training Systems. We are a group of certified personal trainers that help individuals of all ages, health goals, health conditions both on line and in our two personal training studios located in Arizona as well. I have been training individuals for over 13 years and would like to share my knowledge in the field with as many individuals as possible. I am certified in pre and post natal training and have trained dozens of women to term. I have also trained two women to win weight loss challenges for our local news station. Along with these great achievements I also specialize in training women for figure, fitness and bodybuilding competitions. This past year alone, I have trained 4 women who have won the overall in their respective category.
Enough, about me and my credentials. The first article I would like to submit touches base on the difference between men and women. I would also like submit an article on how one can get past Halloween with out putting on too many unwanted pounds (hopefully none).
Women’s Physique V.S. Men’s Physique
1, Whether you want to hear this or not, women are the fatter sex. Largely due to the distribution of adipocyets (fat cells) women carry about twice the amount as men. There are two basic types of fat receptors: alpha receptors and beta receptors. Think of the fat cells as doors to your body. Alpha allow fat into adipocytes for long-term storage while beta allow the fat out of adipocytes to be burned for energy. Women on average have more of the alpha receptors in their lower body which is why they may have the “pear” shape and have “hips”. Another reason women have more fat than men is due to the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is integrally involved in the storage of body fat. An interesting note about estrogen is that is suppresses the activity of lipoprotein lipase in the upper body which impedes fat deposition, but it stimulates lipoprotein in the lower.
2. Men produce more testosterone which is androgenic (i.e. masculinizing); it promotes characteristics associated with being a male. Including; facial and body hair, deep voice, male pattern baldness tc. Testosterone is also anabolic (building) which allows muscle tissue to increase protein synthesis at a cellular level that allows for growth. What this all means is the more testerone one has the greater their propensity to build muscle. Since women produce only about one-tenth the amount as men they are less apt to get “big”. I have been training individuals for 13 years and I still hear from women that they don’t want to get “too bulky”. It is virtually impossible for a woman who is not taking Human Growth Hormone, Steroids, etc. to get big. One must eat a lot, lift heavy, and normally supplement to achieve this look. So women, hit the weights!
3, Menstrual cycles along with pregnancy will impact a woman’s physique. Fluid retention and cravings for sweets are frequently associated with premenstrual period, thereby inducing temporary weight gain and water retention. Some women may have a difficult time with this and allow them to affect their training and regular diet. During pregnancy thousands of new fat cells are created-most in the lower body. Most women if they stay on an exercise program and eat clean throughout the pregnancy will be able to get their physique back to its pre pregnancy look and weight, but it is definitely a difficult task for many.
4. Females can be just as strong pound per pound as their male counterparts in the lower extremities; however they do tend to be weaker in the upper body. Not only due to the fact women produce less testosterone and produce estrogen, but because on average men will work their upper body more than women. The more you train a muscle the stronger it can become (assuming you don’t over train).
Thank you for your time,
Scott Keppel