Fitness Q&A: Is Weight Training Really Necessary? Won't It Make Me Bulky and Masculine-looking?

Q: Is weight training really necessary? Won't it make me bulky and masculine-looking?
A: Yes. No. Adding some weights into your regular fitness regimen is essential to achieving your healthiest, fittest, and BEST-LOOKING you! Weight training not only increases muscular strength and definition, but it also increases your body's ability to burn fat. Now, it doesn't mean that adding weights to your ab routine will burn fat off of your mid-section, but adding any type of weight-training exercises will help reduce overall body fat (coming off wherever your body burns fat first, which varies from person to person). Weight-training is a vital component of fitness and unless you are trying to add bulk and get "man muscles", you won't. Now, some women are genetically inclined to build muscle mass more easily than others, and depending on your body, you may be more inclined to build muscles in one specific area of your body (like your legs or your shoulders). Fortunately, you can alter your weight-training routine to fit your body and your needs. So, if you used to play soccer in high-school, and as a result, now easily add bulk to your legs, avoid adding weights to your lower body moves and instead opt for weighted exercises that focus on your core or upper body. You don't have to add weights everywhere in order to reap the benefits. However, MOST women will be able to add light to moderate weights to most any exercise and see increased tone and definition, as well as added strength, without ever looking bulky.