No Masculine Characteristics

The women athlete will not develop masculine characteristics The possibility of any change in the hormone balance due to strenuous competition is fictitious.

Some unknowledgeable people decry weight training for women, without any understanding or insight into the reasons for this type of training. Practically every athlete should do weight training and neglect of this important facet of athletics will result in poorer personal achievements. The primary idea involved in this training is to increase the strength of the individual. The first schedules should aim at general harmonious development and later some specialised work can be done.

There is no reason why women should not do weight training, as do men, except that the weights used might be lighter.

Emphasis must be laid on precaution, when weight training—or for that matter any athletic training—is started. The advice of an experienced coach should be obtained because there are many types of schedules and exercises, some of which are of little use to the athlete. Progress will be gradual and no attempt should be made to lift heavy weights too early.