FOR many, a toned, muscular body is one of their most prized assets. Lifting weights is a tried and proven method of achieving this look. But, are clearly defined muscles and washboard abs desired by everyone?

For the majority of women, the answer is no. While some women fancy this look on their male counterparts, very few think it’s attractive for a woman to have a muscular physique. It is well noted that combining weight training with the appropriate diet is one of the best ways to eliminate body fat, and achieve a toned look. When suggested to some females, their first response may be: “But I don’t want to look tough”. So is it a myth or an inescapable fact that lifting weights will make a woman’s body look too masculine?

Let’s examine some facts. There are a few factors that make it very difficult for a woman to develop any noticeable muscle mass. The first thing to note is that women are not genetically predisposed to gain muscle mass as easily as men. The difference is accounted for by the hormone known as testosterone. The male body produces this hormone in large amounts. Testosterone, which is also responsible for changes in the male body during puberty and normal sexual function in a man, in terms of achieving and maintaining an erection, is the biological component which plays the biggest role in the body’s ability to increase muscle density and achieve muscle hypertrophy or increased muscle size.

For women, instead of testosterone, the hormone that is primarily generated by the female body is estrogen. That is not to say that there is absolutely no testosterone found in the female body, but for the overwhelming majority of women, the testosterone they produce is in such negligible quantities that they are in no danger of developing more muscle mass than they would like. The small percentage of women who do produce a little more testosterone usually exhibit features reminiscent of men such as a deep, raspy voice or more facial hair than is customary. Due to this great disparity in testosterone levels between men and women, a woman would have to be engaged in intense weight training for a much longer period just to achieve the same muscular gains as a man would, and even then, she may never manage to match his gains in muscle size.

There are, however, numerous supplements designed to increase testosterone beyond naturally occurring levels. These are used primarily by men, but would also be helpful to a woman who is desirous of a more muscular body composition, such as for a bodybuilding competition.

Another thing necessary for muscles to noticeably increase in size is for the weight being lifted to be very heavy. Women generally do not possess the upper body strength needed to lift weights that are heavy enough to develop obvious muscle mass. This is yet another reason why it is unreasonable to assume that lifting weights will automatically make a woman’s body begin to look masculine.

Though it is not impossible, it is very hard for a woman’s body to start looking masculine by spending some time in the weight room. An experienced, competent fitness instructor can take you through a structured weight programme with the right balance of weight, sets and repetitions to achieve your goals without looking too manly.

So go ahead ladies, don’t be afraid to hit the gym. Get those sleek, sexy arms and legs you’ve always wanted.

Marlon Ebanks is a personal fitness instructor who has been certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America since 2009.