Strength training is important for both men and women. The more muscle you have on your body the higher your resting metabolism (rate you burn calories at rest). Muscle is living tissue which requires nutrients to exist and function. This means you're more likely to burn calories rather than store them as body fat. Another issue we face as we get older is poor posture. By strength training we can create muscle balance which will allow our bodies to maintain proper alignment and relieve many of the lower back, joint and other pain we experience with age. Strength training will, just as the name implies, increase strength. Everyday tasks such as carrying the laundry up and down the stairs, taking the garbage out, yard work etc. will become easier to complete.
Another reason for strength training, as vain as it may seem, if for aesthetic purposes. It is great to lose fat and be thin, but even better to be shapely and have hard sculpted muscles. You're clothes will fit better. You can work on shaping specific areas of your body such are the shoulder and arms to provide a visually more appealing physique. Let's face it, in North America we are a visual society. Most are judged initially on their appearance, as sad as that may be it's a fact. With strength training you can shape and sculpt your body like an artist with a sculpture.
And finally, while doing a cardiovascular workout, you will burn more calories while performing the workout but when you complete your session the metabolism drops back down rapidly. During a strength training session, your metabolism, while it isn't raised as dramatically as a cardio session, will be elevated and stay elevated longer after a strength training session as it takes longer to reset to its resting metabolic rate.
A well developed fitness program will not only include a warm up and cardio but strength training and a cool down as well. Feel free to contact myself or a Certified Personal Trainer to design a strength training program specific to your individual fitness level and goals!