Spring is approaching and people are flocking to the gym to work off that extra winter weight. For women who want to tone-up to throw on that bikini at the first sign of hot weather – the treadmill is not enough. You need to pick up the dumbbells. But don’t think that weight training will have you bench – pressing your boyfriend. Because it won’t.

I’m in the gym quite often and the only women I see pumping iron are those on the NKU women’s sports teams. However, the treadmills and elliptical machines tend to be filled with females. This is due to the promoted stereotype that only men should lift weights and if a woman lifts weights she will become “muscle bound.”

You know that jiggly fat that builds up on your arms, and those lovely pouches that hang over your belt? Getting rid of those isn’t as easy as running on a treadmill. Think about it, if you just run, you only work the lower half of your body, but what about the rest of your body? To get the most out of your workout and to get rid of some of that unwanted upper-body fat, try picking up some dumbbells. A person develops huge muscles with specific eating habits and training. In other words, if you have healthy eating habits and you’re not trying to squat a Volvo – you won’t end up with biceps that are bigger than any of the guys in your ENG101 class.

To tone up your whole body, I suggest trying to get to the gym four days a week for 30 minutes each day, and keep a healthy diet. On day one and day three stretch for five minute before hitting the treadmill for 20 minutes. to burn calories and work the lower half. Finish up the workout with some abdominal exercises and more stretching. On day two and day four try lifting weights to target you larger muscle groups throughout your body.