Hong Kong, Sept. 4 -- Weight training - and more broadly, strength training - has been thrusted back into the limelight for its ability to do all that and more. The form of exercise builds and preserves lean body mass - which is crucial for overall health - as well as promotes stability and strength. If you're a numbers sort of person, weight training can help transform your body composition, whether it's to reduce body fat or gain muscle. Image: Courtesy Brett Jordan/Unsplash

For all its benefits (which we'll get to below), the activity has, unfortunately, also garnered a reputation amongst many - especially women - who think that it's either too hardcore a sport to pick up, or that it'd build bulging, unattractive muscles. Fortunately,...