Men and women approach the challenge of putting together a great exercise program much differently from each other. Men tend to focus on one area of exercise with a short term goal in mind. That is to say, they want to “bulk up” to get a muscular build, particularly in the upper body and probably to look good in their clothes for one reason – to impress women.

But many men focus their exercise on a specific sport because of the fun of challenge of that sport. So if the sport is basketball, that guy will work hard on speed and endurance in running and in balance and the muscles it takes to shoot a great basket. Again the goal is not general good physical fitness. The goal is the fun of the game and winning.

This is not to say that a program of total fitness for women will not have short term goals. But it seems easier for girls to design and stick with an exercise program that is well balanced in all aspects of physical fitness and which results in better overall health.

A program of total fitness for women will bring in components of each of the major health focus areas that must be addressed for a program to be well balanced. Those areas would include a good cardiovascular workout, strength and toning training for firmer muscle systems and a well developed emphasis on stretching.

It is a mistake to put emphasis only on any one of these focus areas. If you only do weight training for the purpose of muscle tone and strength, these exercises are not going to help you lose fat which is often a big indicator that your exercise program is working. The smart combination of running, swimming or other cardio intensive activities with weight training results in an increase in the muscle tone of your body as the fat ratio in the body decreases.

Then when muscle replaces fat, you don’t drop down to a “slinky little waif” but transform from your former shape into a shapely and sexy woman. That healthy glow that will come from your devotion to a well rounded diet and exercise discipline is far sexier and more attractive to everybody around you than either extreme of being overweight or underweight can give to you.

Sometimes it’s easy for us to forget the importance of stretching as part of your exercise program. Too often we see stretching in the same way we view flossing our teeth. It’s something we ought to do but it’s boring so skip it. But stretching is as much a big part of your exercise program as that aggressive sprint during your run or finishing that last set of 10 lifts during weight training.

Stretching IS exercise because it is the first step of engaging your muscles in the act of working out. Often after stretching you will already sense your heart rate increasing and feel the effects of the workout in your muscles. So be sure that one third of your fitness program is devoted to stretching and you will work out better and sustain fewer injuries as well.

Its easier for women to put together a balanced program of exercise. Its easier for women to stick with that program because a balanced program leaves you feeling refreshed and energized to get out there and take the world by the horns and tame it. So put some energy and planning into creating a well balanced program of exercise. As that program shapes you and makes you healthier and stronger with each passing week, you will be glad you put the thought into how you work out well in advance. And your body will thank you too.