There are more men than women weightlifters, and people tend to be prejudiced against female sports categories for weightlifting. Well, statistics indicate that women are more involved in their training and that the number of female weightlifters has increased over the last five years, as compared to that of male weightlifters that seems to remain constant. When there is a study that shows that one woman in five trains twice a week, what better evidence can we ask for? Improved health condition, fitness and beautiful body shape are the direct results of weightlifting workout.

Furthermore, women weightlifters are less exposed to osteoporosis, a bone disease that affects women over 40. In fact weight lifting prevents the loss of bone mass helping people stay healthier and younger. Even senior adults practice this kind of training and although the figures are lower, there is an increase in popularity here too. While at the end of the 90s, the statistical reports for weightlifters over 65 showed 11% for men and 7% for women, but, the numbers have increased to 14% for men and 11% for women in 2004.

Weightlifters prefer gyms over home training; young and old, men and women they all want to look their best, lose weight and improve health. In fact the number of amateur weightlifters is a lot higher than that of professional weightlifters. The conditions are a bit different for Olympic training, and the athletes follow other rules. Nevertheless, the workout basics remain set for all weightlifters, and the safety rules and the needs for good food, rest and hydration work the same way. Both male and female weightlifters have to choose their weights carefully, they have to support their body effort with a proper diet and try to avoid weightlifting plateaus.

Although working at home is also possible, nothing compares to gym training. There are all the equipment items necessary for weightlifters to perform exercises, and a safer environment for all the techniques. There is professional technical assistance, and one has the constant opportunity of being able to learn from peers. Lots of progress is made because of emulation, when people are stimulated by the better shape and performance of other amateur athletes. Men and women have learned to share their experience as weightlifter pictures and now train side by side.