Breaking down stereotypes

As much as we differ, and as much as we are confused about the opposite sex, we can all learn a lot from each other in terms of improving our own health and fitness.

In some areas of culture the lines in the sand are firmly drawn as to how women and men are supposed to feel, act and look. Take fashion for example - women wear makeup, dresses and have long hair. Men wear trousers, ties, and have short hair. Of course, that is over-simplified.

Now take health and fitness as another example - men play contact sport, lift heavy weights and consume a high-calorie diet. Women go to aerobics classes, avoid weights and eat low-fat and low-sugar foods.

Human nature being what it is, you can bet your new Nike shoes and matching fluffy sweat bands, that it is not that simple. And you would be right.

I know lots of women who love to lift weights and at the recent netball tournament at the Rugby Club I watched two men's teams battle it out for a piece of Gulf glory. Last week at school, I was amazed that two 17-year-old boys couldn't wait for me to teach them ballroom dancing! Not to mention the Tae Bo and boxercise class that was women only.

So perhaps the line in the sand is slowly being washed away by the tide of change? To continue to break down traditional stereotypes in the health and fitness arena can only bring huge benefits to both men and women; boys and girls. And who knows? You may just have a lot of fun and end up looking wonderful too.

Let's look at some more examples in more detail.

Women should lift weights, not just men. Adding resistance to a workout burns a huge number of calories. In fact, the energy consumption, along with post exercise oxygen consumption, stays elevated for up to six hours after the workout.

Resistance training can re-shape your whole body and improve your posture better than just about anything! It can also help prevent osteoporosis, thicken and strengthen your heart muscle, and re-stabilise all the joints in your body. Don't worry about looking like an Olympic weightlifter.

Women can ONLY 'bulk up' if they are on an appropriate training load, high protein diet and supplementing with male hormone injections. And remember, resistance can come in the form of your own body weight (think tummy crunches and push-ups); using resistance bands (made of thick rubber of varying degrees of elasticity); using water (think swimming really fast, or rowing in the bay); or even using light handweights.

Men should cut back on fat and sugar, not just women. Women produce oestrogen. They are smaller and have only 23 per cent of their body weight attributed to muscle (men have 40 per cent). Women have cravings at different times in their cycle. Women do less vigorous activity whether it be at work or at leisure.

All of this adds up to carrying quite a proportion of body fat. And that is what gives us our soft skin and sexy curves. However, that is why we fight with the mirror nearly everyday and the solution is usually 'I must diet'. Goodbye fat and sugar ... for now.

Men seem to be able to eat whatever they want, whenever they want, within reason. The difference is that men seem to burn it off easily. However, what we women don't see is the damage it may be doing on the inside of his body.

Men are leading the way in terms of heart disease and in the Arab world, Type II diabetes. Men should take a leaf out of women's cookbooks - cut back on junk and you may look better, feel wonderful and live a whole lot longer.

Women should get out of their comfort zone, not just men. When was the last time you heard a woman pick up the phone and say 'Hi, Natalie? It's Simone here. Hey, I was wondering if you and the girls would like to go away next weekend for two days of surfing and rock-climbing?'

Men have all the fun (and your definition of fun might be different to mine, granted). What men also have that we women don't have is a body that can handle a lot more on so many levels.

Let me explain. Fitness activities that demand unnatural and challenging movements force the brain and muscles and joints to form a stronger alliance to prevent injury and improve overall strength and balance.

Women who continue to do the same low impact, low intensity, less demanding activities will never improve on these vital elements of physical fitness. Instead of riding the exercise bike or walking through the mall next weekend ladies, ride a wave or walk on the wild side!

Men need to rest and relax, not just women. When the going gets tough, the tough go to pilates - if you are a woman. It's not totally unorthodox to see a man in running tights and padded socks rolling around on a mat in the dance studio. I know. I've taught them. But it's rare, which begs the question 'why?'

Men's muscles need stretching the same as women's. Men tend to 'red-line' the same as women in response to stress and time-pressure. And EVERYONE knows that men and boys have many more accidents than women and girls.

Men can benefit immensely by learning breathing for relaxation; stretching to improve spinal health and flexibility; and yoga or pilates for mind/body awareness and core strength.

And ... to ... chill ... out ... ahhhh...

Here is an idea for you all. Why don't you start exercising with your significant other? You will learn a lot more, have fun and it is quality time together. Just when I thought I knew it all, I absorb more titbits of fascinating information from my male friends and students all the time!

Good luck everyone and make sure you have fun!