John Gray’s popular Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus illustrates some of the intrinsic, hormone-influenced differences between men and women. So it may come as no surprise that in addition to thinking, acting, and behaving differently, men and women also respond differently to exercise and weight loss.

Although both men and women come in different shapes and sizes, by and large members of the two genders are fundamentally different—both psychologically and physiologically. Pumping iron continues to be a predominantly male domain. Men also tend to be more physically active and are socialized to gravitate toward formal exercise and sports. Women, on the other hand, tend to rely more on social exercise activities like aerobics and dance classes.

A man may want to gain weight while his feminine counterpart hopes to lose it. He’ll maintain on 3,000 calories a day, and she may gain on an 1,800-calorie reduction diet. While a man’s comfort foods are wings and pot roast, she craves chocolate and a date with Ben & Jerry.

What follows is a dialogue between Gabriel Gaskin and Kimberly Garrison, personal trainers who happen to be married to each other, on the different fitness challenges men and women face.

Kimberly: It’s so-o-o unfair. It takes me twice as long as it takes you to lose 10 pounds.

Gabriel: Well, of course it does. Typically, men burn between 30 and 40 percent more weight than a women. That means I’ll lose about 13 to 14 pounds for every 10 you lose.

Kimberly: I also have to eat significantly less plus do more cardio. Do you realize I have to cut my calories 20 to 40 percent to lose a few pounds? Where’s the justice?

Gabriel: You seem to forget that I’m almost twice your size, 6’4” and 240 pounds, with 7 percent body fat. My body requires lots of calories just to maintain. Besides that, men have 50 percent greater total muscle mass and an advantage in strength, speed, and power over women. Period.

Kimberly: Yes, dear, you’re absolutely right. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating for me. A woman has to do a Herculean workout to get her body fat to budge below 20 percent.

Gabriel: I know. Life isn’t fair. If it’s any consolation, nature intended for you to have that extra cushioning in the event of a pregnancy.

Kimberly: Well, I don’t need that extra cushioning my whole life long.

Gabriel: On top of that, men have more bone, 25 to 30 percent greater lung capacity, and significantly less body fat. These are all reasons why men are stronger and more efficient runners than women.

Kimberly: Hey, don’t rub it in. Clearly, men tend to have a physical advantage, except for flexibility. Women tend to be more flexible.

Gabriel: I can think of another advantage.

Kimberly: What’s that?

Gabriel: Women typically outlive men by five to seven years.

Kimberly: That must be why we have the last word in every discussion.