Heavy lifting for women

[DrWahoo]

Have any trainers or women seen the affects of heavy lifting on women ? On Bodybuilding.com it says that heavy lifting is the program that increases strength. I don't want to get to thick and then not be able to maintain it and it turns to fat later on.

[abarlament]

You don't get "thick" overnight. It takes a long tiime depending on how muscular you are now. You have no reason to fear getting too muscular, because you can look in a mirror. Muscle doesn't "turn into fat" if you don't maintain it, either.

[MAURER]

muscle doesn't turn into fat, it just becomes less defined over time as fat deposits increase, giving it that effect. anyone, in my opinion women should not lift heavy, it does not look good, and it is not necessary for staying healthy. yes, worout of course, but don't set your goals to be able to bench more than the male weightlifters around you

[Chain]

Originally Posted by abarlament

You don't get "thick" overnight. It takes a long tiime depending on how muscular you are now. You have no reason to fear getting too muscular, because you can look in a mirror. Muscle doesn't "turn into fat" if you don't maintain it, either.

In addition to what abarlament said, the vast majority of women do not have the physiology necessary to gain a lot of muscle size. Look at all the guys in the gym busting their butts to get bigger. The average male is far better set up physiologically to gain muscle size, yet they aren't getting huge. It's not like you can lift for a few months and your muscles explode a few inches in diameter. And if a woman lifts with heavy weights and very low reps (5 or less) she will not be likely to gain much size anyway because a lot of the adaptation is neural.

I think women should always try to lift more and get stronger because women need muscular strength as they get older at least as much as men do. And also because of the additional problems with bone strength women are more likely to encounter. They don't have to get bigger to do this. But lifting heavier weights will strengthen bones and muscles more. So go for it.

[Jaster]

I love women that can lift heavy.
As long as I lift more then them LOL
:thumbup:

[Rainheart]

Originally Posted by DrWahoo

Have any trainers or women seen the affects of heavy lifting on women ? On Bodybuilding.com it says that heavy lifting is the program that increases strength. I don't want to get to thick and then not be able to maintain it and it turns to fat later on.

Heavy lifting is subjective. I'm a woman, I can't compare what I lift to someone else, there are so many factors involved it may be be impossible. Lift what you can and increase when you need to. Don't worry about bulking up, enjoy the lifting and your progress.

[DrWahoo]

Thanks everyone, Rainheart your my hero. I think I will just enough so I don't make unlady like grunts

[SpinQueen]

I love lifting heavy weight. I'm doing 540 on leg press now. Freaks out all the guys around me when I do it.

[Jaster]

Originally Posted by SpinQueen

I love lifting heavy weight. I'm doing 540 on leg press now. Freaks out all the guys around me when I do it.

Good going keep freaking them out!!

[ajarvis]

I "lift heavy" according to other women in my gym. I don't think it's that heavy but. I can bench 85lbs, deadlift 70lbs. I like doing one week of really heavy and going back to a bit lower for a few weeks to build more strength so when I go heavier I improve I'm not "thick" but it's nice being strong, don't have to ask the boyfriend to do everything, and when it's time to move furniture we don't need any of his friends to come help

[Amkey]

Originally Posted by DrWahoo

Thanks everyone, Rainheart your my hero. I think I will just enough so I don't make unlady like grunts

That is when you know you are lifting heavy. I did not start grunting until I went to 12 reps and now I know exactly what failure means. By the time number 10 comes around I am burning and I am usually making some sort of noise to finish. By the way I lift very heavy and always work on lifting heavier and I am far from being huge.

[Helene]

I lift heavy all the time and I am not big, I am very slim. 125lbs, 5'2 and 18% bodyfat. To me, light lifting (10lbs for 20 reps+) is a waste of time. I stick to 8 reps.

[sillygirl]

I like to "tone" with soup cans! Eventually, I'm hoping to move up to lifting heavier things- like bottles of laundry detergent!

Hahahaha, kidding kidding kidding. I definitely agree with the heavy lifting thing. I'm by no means huge, and I've gotten nothing but good results from lifting HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY! Woohoo.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by sillygirl

I like to "tone" with soup cans!

do you drink the soup first?

Steve

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by Steve

do you drink the soup first?

Steve

YES!! I DON'T WANT TO GET ALL GROSS AND BULKY!!