Women can train as hard as men, but the results they get are never quite the same. The fitness differences between men and women are closely related to genetics and hormones. So don’t worry if you’re not achieving the same fitness goals as your male friends – your bodies are built differently, and what works for him may not be suitable for you. Understanding the differences between women’s and men’s fitness is important if you want to find the exercise routine that works best for you.

When it comes to fitness levels, there are several differences between men and women, and it’s not just about outer appearances. Here’s what you need to know.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone responsible for developing muscles and making males male, at least physically. It also stimulates the production of red blood cells, which absorbs oxygen and gives you an aerobic advantage. Women also have testosterone, but in smaller amounts than men. Since women have a low testosterone level, we have a harder time when it comes to building muscles and enduring workouts.

Estrogen

Estrogen is considered to be a female hormone, and it plays an essential role in the growth and development of women’s sexual characteristics. Due to having higher estrogen levels than men, women have a higher percentage of body fat. What’s more, women are better at storing body fat than men thanks to estrogen. But this can be troublesome for those of us who want to lose weight since extra fat discourages the body from burning calories after eating.

Muscle mass

Women generally have a lower muscle mass than men, since we have lower testosterone levels. However, the differences in muscle mass between men and women shouldn’t pose too much of a problem as women can develop muscle by engaging in regular weight and strength training.

Flexibility

Owing to generally shorter bones and laxer connective tissues, women are naturally more flexible than men. A woman’s body tends to be more rounded, and the bones around the pelvis are more flexible than those of a man. The downside, however, is that women are more prone to joint injuries than men, since we tend to have weaker muscles and supporting tissues, which means our joints are less stable than those of our male friends.

Weight loss

The most effective way to burn fat and lose weight is to build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn. Your metabolism will shoot up during the fat burning process. Since men have an easier time of building muscle, it makes sense that they will have an easier time when trying to lose weight as well. So the same intensive workout will generally yield better results in men than in women.

These bodily and hormonal differences affect the way women exercise. Men can build muscle more easily than women, which helps them to lose weight faster and get in shape quicker. But that doesn’t mean that women can’t have a toned body as well. It’s a matter of finding the right type of exercise that suits our physical attributes.

If you want to start working out, but are unsure as to what to do, contact us today and we can guide you in the right direction.