{"id":9071,"date":"2025-04-10T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T21:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/9071\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T21:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T21:37:16","slug":"5-things-you-and-your-husband-must-do-differently-in-the-gym-according-to-your-physiological-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/9071\/","title":{"rendered":"5 things you and your husband must do differently in the gym, according to your physiological differences"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we asked Women\u2019s Health Collective<\/a> coach Amanda Ngonyama<\/a> whether men and women should exercise<\/a> differently, her reply was, \u2018Absolutely\u2019. \u2018Differences in muscle fiber composition, hormone levels, and how your nervous system functions mean that what works for women won\u2019t necessarily work for men \u2013 and vice versa,\u2019 she explains. \u2018I\u2019m not saying those gym sessions with your husband won’t have been beneficial, but following a gender-specific training plan will certainly help optimise your results.\u2019 <\/p>\n

Here are all the ways in which men and women should exercise differently, according to the aforementioned factors. <\/p>\n

1.Women need less rest<\/a>\"two<\/p>\n

The Good Brigade\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018Females have more type 1 muscle fibers, also known as slow-twitch fibers, which have a greater blood supply and as a result, greater endurance, meaning you can train for longer without tiring. They also have higher levels of oestrogen \u2013 an anticatabolic hormone, which prevents the breakdown of muscle tissue. Studies<\/a> show that both of these factors combined mean that women can recover faster than men during workouts, using shorter rest periods. Consider incorporating supersets<\/a>, performing two exercises back-to-back before resting; your husband would be better off sticking with single sets.<\/p>\n

2. Women can target the same muscle group more per week\"determined<\/p>\n

Neustockimages\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018According to research in the International Journal of Sports Medicine<\/a>, the rate of microscopic muscle tears that occur during exercise is higher in men than women, meaning you experience muscle damage at a slower rate, and could safely and effectively train the same muscle group three-four times per week, if this suits your goal.\u2019<\/p>\n

3. Slower tempos suit women better \"concentrated<\/p>\n

stockvisual\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018The part of the brain that controls movement, known as the motor cortex, is larger in men, with research in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness<\/a> showing that, as a result, they are able to react faster and generate more force. You would benefit from lifting<\/a> with more control and less explosion.\u2019<\/p>\n

4. Women don\u2019t experience as much muscle \u2018burn\u2019 \"fit<\/p>\n

dusanpetkovic\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018Many studies show that because females have smaller heart sizes, higher oestrogen levels and a less pronounced sympathetic nervous system response, their blood pressure is lower during exercise. This means less production of hydrogen ions (a substance released during muscle metabolism that makes your muscles burn), because blood flow is directed to your working muscles more efficiently. In turn, you may not feel the so-called \u2018burn\u2019 as quickly or as intensely, meaning you can handle higher workout volumes.\u2019<\/p>\n

5. Women can perform more reps and sets<\/a> before fatiguing\"couple<\/p>\n

franckreporter\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018Between the aforementioned lower blood pressure, more type 1 muscle fibers and higher levels of anti-catabolic oestrogen (which prevents muscle damage), females are able to perform more reps and sets, even with heavy lifts, before reaching fatigue, compared to men.<\/p>\n

\u2018Keep in mind that while studies show that both men and women typically lose 3-5 per cent of muscle mass per decade after the age of 30 (a process known as sarcopenia), this accelerates when women begin going through the perimenopause<\/a> and experience declining levels of oestrogen. Building a strong base of muscle mass through regular strength training before you hit this age will help calm this rate of change. The sooner you start, and the more tailored your approach, the better.\u2019 <\/p>\n

RELATED STORIES\"Headshot<\/p>\n

As Women\u2019s Health UK\u2019s fitness director (and a qualified yoga teacher), Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism. She secured her first role at Look Magazine, where her obsession with fitness began and she launched the magazine\u2019s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!. Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner\u2019s World and Red.<\/p>\n

Now, she oversees all fitness content across womenshealthmag.com.uk<\/a> and the print magazine, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as \u2018Fit At Any Age\u2019, where we showcase the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise. She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks \u2013 all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how.<\/p>\n

Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n