Tabitha has been working out at the gym for months and does not ...

[rosent76]

Tabitha has been working out at the gym for months and does not understand why her muscle mass is not increasing the way her brother's is, even though she works out more often than he. Explain why women will not achieve the same increase in muscle size as men, no matter the intensity of their strength-training regimen.

Question 2

John lives in a one-bedroom apartment and has a limited budget. He would like to purchase strength-training equipment? Which would you recommend: free weights or a Universal Gym machine? Explain why.

[cat123]

Answer to Question 1

Even though the quality of muscle in men and women is the same, endocrinological differences do not allow women to achieve the same amount of muscle hypertrophy (size) as men. Men also have more muscle fibers, and because of the sex-specific male hormones, each individual fiber has more potential for hypertrophy. On the average, following 6 months of training, women can achieve up to a 50 percent increase in strength but only a 10 percent increase in muscle size.
The idea that strength training allows women to develop muscle hypertrophy to the same extent as men is as false as the notion that playing basketball turns women into giants. Masculinity and femininity are established by genetic inheritance, not by amount of physical activity. Variations in the extent of masculinity and femininity are determined by individual differences in hormonal secretions of androgen, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Women with a bigger-than-average build often are inclined to participate in sports because of their natural physical advantage. As a result, many people have associated women's participation in sports and strength training with large muscle size.

Answer to Question 2

You would recommend free weights primarily because they are much less expensive than a Universal Gym machine. On a limited budget, free weights are a better option. Other advantages of free weights include the following:
Variety: A bar and a few plates can be used to perform many exercises to strengthen most muscles in the body.

Portability: Free weights can be easily moved from one area or station to another.

Coordination: Free weights require greater muscular coordination to mimic movement requirements of specific tasks.

Balance: Free weights require that a person balance the weight through the entire range of motion. This feature involves additional support and stabilizing muscles to keep the weight moving properly.

One size fits all: People of almost all ages can use free weights.

Although a Universal Gym machine (among other advantages) would be safer, be easier to use, provide variable resistance, isolate muscles more effectively, require less time, and contribute more to joint flexibility, it would be significantly more expensive. Besides, John's small apartment simply does not have the space to set up the machine.

[rosent76]

Thank you!

[cat123]

Always glad to help...