We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

I get bulky from weights...

1567810

Replies

  • Posts: 18,343 Member
    i wish I was a woman because I want to get bulky. I keep trying, but I can't make it happen.
    I think some of these ladies should collaborate on writing a book detailing their diet and workout programs - it would be an immediate bestseller. A lot of guys who are struggling for every pound of muscle, chowing down and busting their butts throwing heavy iron would LOVE to know how to "accidentally" pack on hyooge slabs of muscle in a few weeks while in a caloric deficit.
  • Posts: 5,789 Member


    I can add a few articles from bb.com if you like. :)

    tldr.jpg
  • Posts: 2,827 Member
    from bb.com -
    eight training and cardiovascular activity such as running tightens and shortens the muscles while yoga lengthens and builds functional strength. It teaches you how to use this strength effectively so you develop muscles that not only look good in the gym but are also useable in the real world.

    Take a simple yoga class for example, here you will find tiny ladies balance up in full handstands while standing beside in frustration are big muscular guys who can't even hold themselves and inch off the floor.

    The majority of bodybuilders in my yoga classes could not even hold tree pose.

    You practice yoga already, you might want to do a couple of days working on the compounds to achieve your goals. :)
  • Posts: 224 Member
    Yeah, you look soooo bulky.
    I know, she looks pretty small to me!! I'd love to have more muscle bulk! I have a hard time thinking you can get really bulky as a woman who is not on steroids anyhow, but to each their own!
  • Posts: 18,343 Member
    tldr.jpg
    Don't bother. I immediately discount anything which mentions "toning". There's no such thing as "toning" a muscle. You can make it bigger, make it smaller, reveal it by losing the fat covering it, or cover it up by gaining more fat - but you can't "tone" it.
  • This content has been removed.
  • Posts: 3,515 Member
    from bb.com -

    The majority of bodybuilders in my yoga classes could not even hold tree pose.

    You practice yoga already, you might want to do a couple of days working on the compounds to achieve your goals. :)

    You are confusing being muscular with being inflexible.

    They are mutually exclusive.
  • Posts: 2,827 Member
    Wow, that's quite some wall of text.

    You can progressively overload bodyweight, kettlebell, dumbbell, barbell, sandbag, strongman, etc exercises and get stronger muscles. What of it? Yoga incorporates some pretty advanced bodyweight exercises that take people years to master and provide massive scope for progressive overload. What of it?

    I'm not sure what the point of your response was here?

    That both work depending on your goals.
  • Posts: 16,414 Member

    You are confusing being muscular with being inflexible.

    They are mutually exclusive.
    I can't figure out her point.

    Being able to hold tree pose or a head stand is mostly about flexibility and balance, not strength.
  • Posts: 3,515 Member

    That both work depending on your goals.

    Progressive overload is all that is needed to make someone stronger. There are myriad ways to achieve it.
  • Posts: 2,827 Member
    Don't bother. I immediately discount anything which mentions "toning". There's no such thing as "toning" a muscle. You can make it bigger, make it smaller, reveal it by losing the fat covering it, or cover it up by gaining more fat - but you can't "tone" it.

    Ohhh... Come on Anvil, I've taken enough exercise science classes to know what "tone" is. This IS MFP. :)
  • Posts: 772 Member
    I guess this depends on what you mean by "bulky." If you have short limbs, small amounts of muscle gain will look larger. My limbs are long in relation to my body, I've never felt like gaining muscle makes them look "bulkier."
    You are confusing being muscular with being inflexible.

    They are mutually exclusive.

    Uh, no.

    Weightlifters are some of the most flexible athletes. Also, have you never seen a gymnast? Srsly.
  • Posts: 3,515 Member
    If you have short limbs, small amounts of muscle gain will look larger. My limbs are long in relation to my body, I've never felt like gaining muscle makes them look bulkier. If anything they look thinner.

    Uh, no.

    Weightlifters are some of the most flexible athletes. Also, have you never seen a gymnast? Srsly.

    You are agreeing with what I wrote, but you are disagreeing with me?

    I don't get it.....
  • Posts: 2,827 Member
    I can't figure out her point.

    Being able to hold tree pose or a head stand is mostly about flexibility and balance, not strength.

    My point is functional fitness. I don't equate having a lot of muscle visible with being fit. Just my opinion.
  • Posts: 772 Member

    You are agreeing with what I wrote, but you are disagreeing with me?

    I don't get it.....

    You didn't say what you meant, then.

    If you say two things are mutually exclusive, it means they can't exist at the same time. You said it's not possible to be inflexible and muscular at the same time. That doesn't make any sense, so I assumed based on context that you meant you couldn't be flexible and muscular at the same time, which is a popular misconception.
  • Posts: 16,414 Member

    My point is functional fitness. I don't equate having a lot of muscle visible with being fit. Just my opinion.
    That has nothing whatsoever to do with the discussion in this thread. I haven't seen one person say yoga isn't useful as an exercise.

    Get over yourself.
  • Posts: 3,515 Member


    You didn't say what you meant, then.

    If you say two things are mutually exclusive, it means they can't exist at the same time. You said it's not possible to be inflexible and muscular at the same time. That doesn't make any sense, so I assumed based on context that you meant you couldn't be flexible and muscular at the same time, which is a popular misconception.


    How about:

    Being muscular and being flexible aren't mutually exclusive.......

    .....I'm sure that makes you happier!
  • Posts: 1,206 Member

    My point is functional fitness. I don't equate having a lot of muscle visible with being fit. Just my opinion.

    Being able to do a handstand doesn't automatically equate to being "functionally fit" either. It's absolutely more about balance. Yes, I do yoga, by the way.
  • Posts: 2,827 Member

    Being able to do a handstand doesn't automatically equate to being "functionally fit" either. It's absolutely more about balance. Yes, I do yoga, by the way.

    Start doing handstand pushups. ;)
  • Posts: 2,827 Member


    How about:

    Being muscular and being flexible aren't mutually exclusive.......

    .....I'm sure that makes you happier!

    It makes me happy! Thank you. :)
  • Posts: 2,276 Member
    i wish this thread would just die already.
  • Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm all for functional fitness.

    There's been many times in my life I've had to lift and carry a heavy object.

    There has never been a time in my life that required me to stand on my head.
  • Posts: 16,414 Member
    I'm all for functional fitness.

    There's been many times in my life I've had to lift and carry a heavy object.

    There has never been a time in my life that required me to stand on my head.
    You must get some more excitement in your life! lol
  • Posts: 2,827 Member
    i wish this thread would just die already.

    I do too, actually. So does the original poster - "Haha! I appreciate you being positive and supportive. I stopped reading the thread awhile ago. But for the record, I did see the pics of those two girls they posted and no, I do not want to look like that and yes, in my opinion if they had clothes on they'd look bulky. I prefer long and lean. I'm quite aware that I won't get TALLER, but I can look slimmer without as much bulk. Fine, maybe it's not "science" but it's an optical illusion that works for me. HAHA!!! "
  • Posts: 834 Member
    I am actually trying to bulk..I must be doing something wrong!

    More ice cream!
  • Posts: 12,950 Member
    That has nothing whatsoever to do with the discussion in this thread. I haven't seen one person say yoga isn't useful as an exercise.

    Get over yourself.

    You're off topic, get over yourself!

    dont_get_on_the_wrong_side_of_this_cat_640_17-501x560.jpg

    This thread has gone on long enough to become a cat thread.
  • Posts: 17,857 Member
    My point is functional fitness. I don't equate having a lot of muscle visible with being fit. Just my opinion.
    squat_nobodycares_zpsf6892d49.gif
  • Posts: 17,857 Member
    I just hope the OP knows that if something isn't working for her to do what is best for her. Everyone can say that women don't get bulky by lifting I know that not to be the case and from what the OP said so does she. Do what it best for you and forget the ones who think they know how your body works because that is the "norm".
    Even if she is actually getting "bulky" it is not "lifting has made me bulky" it is "being a genetic freak has made me bulky."
  • Posts: 2,819 Member
    I looked at a dumbbell once and now I look like Chris Evans.
    < --- See!
  • Posts: 105 Member
    Show me a photo of what you think is "bulky"

    I love lifting. Heavy and Low reps.
    Dropping body fat percentages and pant sizes.

    After a good season, my jeans are tight for 2 days. As my muscles repair, and hold water.
    This is normal.

    It is not mass.

    OMG this right here :smooched: :heart:
This discussion has been closed.