The mindbodygreen Podcast

595: Expert insights on strength training for women

May 15, 2025
Gabrielle Lyon, a functional medicine physician, emphasizes the necessity of muscle for women's health. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon, challenges traditional views of being 'toned' and advocates for heavier lifting. Bill Campbell discusses the ideal frequency of workouts for optimal muscle growth, while Don Layman provides insights on daily protein needs for muscle maintenance. The experts foster a mindset shift from fat loss to muscle building, highlighting the broader benefits of strength training, especially for women in midlife.
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INSIGHT

Muscle as Vital Endocrine Organ

  • Skeletal muscle is a large endocrine organ that releases hormones impacting immunity and metabolism.
  • Muscle mass is a vital metabolic sink and a reserve for amino acids critical in aging and disease survival.
ADVICE

Effective Twice-Weekly Workout Plan

  • Train your whole body twice a week with quality lifts focusing on compound and accessory exercises.
  • Include core work in every session to maintain stability and prevent injury.
ADVICE

Train Muscles Twice Weekly to Failure

  • Stimulate each muscle group at least twice weekly with intense, near-failure lifts for hypertrophy.
  • Limit sets to three per exercise for optimal muscle growth without diminishing returns.
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