How many women actually workout with weights

Loco_Beast
Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
edited December 1 in Getting Started
Not claiming to be a guru or anything, but I have done my research. I have females in my gym ask me for advice a lot, and I think that's only because they see me in the gym and I actually workout the whole time I'm there, I'm not sitting on a piece of equipment texting or whatever. General opinion I hear is that they are afraid if they workout they will start to look "bulky" or "manly". This is so far from true, guess I'm just curious to how many women on here actually train with weights. Thanks, and good luck to all on your goals.
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Replies

  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    That's great dutchandkiwi, keep it up. There aren't that many females that do a lot of heavy weights that I know of (powerlifting). Most do a moderate weight, with higher reps. (10-15) Keep moving forward and let us know how you're progressing.
  • ngolden3320
    ngolden3320 Posts: 360 Member
    I am just getting started with weights. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited May 2016
    I work out with weights 5 days a week. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought I would get bulky. Actually the opposite, we just don't gain mass like men!
  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    I am just getting started with weights. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    I'm not a personal trainer, but my advice would to be start slow and work your way up, it's a marathon not a sprint. But also don't get comfortable, constantly push yourself. Good luck and keep us posted. Also if you have a specific question, fire away. If I can't answer it I'm sure there is someone on here who will have an answer.
  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    I work out with weights 5 days a week. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought I would get bulky. Actually the opposite.

    That's great, maybe you could advise some of the women with questions. I think some women see the Pro female bodybuilders (meaning the ones who do look manly or bulky), and think that is possible, not knowing what those women do to get where they are.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I lift heavy. Just switching from a 3x a week full body intermediate program to a 5 day a week UL split intermediate program. I'm not bulky ;)
  • smileymaxine
    smileymaxine Posts: 275 Member
    Erm yes, with power lifting dreams !!

    I don't know if it is lack of information or just fear that stops some people but absolutely love heavy lifting. But I wouldn't go ask some guy who was in the middle of a workout for advice , I work with my trainer then get on with me own thing. Also I text between my sets but hey 180 secs is a long time
  • cafisher0404
    cafisher0404 Posts: 77 Member
    I want to start! It's intimidating for someone new (at least to me personally). My gym keeps all their free weights under an "advanced training" area, so for a newbie, it is very scary to walk over there any try (the machine weights are what I have been doing so far). I also constantly worry that I'm going to get my form wrong or mess up in some way. I'm trying to get over that fear and just do it.
  • ScoobaChick
    ScoobaChick Posts: 186 Member
    If you are thinking about lifting try to get a copy of Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove's New Rules of lifting for women. I walked around with it for 18 months before I gathered up the courage to pick up something other than Barbie weights at the gym but I am so glad I did. They have newer programs but the information section in the book is invaluable if you have never lifted heavy and are considering it.

    BTW I completed NROL4W 3 years ago at 43. I am now doing their newer STRONG program and love it!
  • HStheBusyBee
    HStheBusyBee Posts: 1,366 Member
    I do under duress but I'm honestly not a massive fan. I personally feel like it highlights how bloody feeble I am and I never know if my form is right!
  • pichiPurinsesu
    pichiPurinsesu Posts: 776 Member
    i'd love to start lifting properly but too embarrassed to go to the gym :blush:
  • kimdawnhayden
    kimdawnhayden Posts: 298 Member
    I lift!
  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    Arathels wrote: »
    I powerlift with two huge guys.. I lift heavy and I work hard.. Tell me, how manly am I? ;)

    I don't think you're bulky...I personally believe that what ever a person chooses to do is their business, my only comment about being bulky was that a lot of women think they will get manly/bulk, from weight training. This is the myth I have tried to disprove to them. My hat is off to anyone who goes into the gym and works their *kitten* off.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    There are a ton of women on here who lift. However, I do have to say I only see a handful at the gym, but then again I go early in the morning when there are not a lot of people.
  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    I want to start! It's intimidating for someone new (at least to me personally). My gym keeps all their free weights under an "advanced training" area, so for a newbie, it is very scary to walk over there any try (the machine weights are what I have been doing so far). I also constantly worry that I'm going to get my form wrong or mess up in some way. I'm trying to get over that fear and just do it.

    There are plenty of videos on YouTube, you can checkout AthleanX channel, he has great advice, and workouts. Not to mention other people who have channels on there, just remember we are all different, and an exercise that works for me may not be as beneficial to the next guy. Learn how your body responds to different exercises, this will take time, it's not going to happen over night. Best of luck..
  • Loco_Beast
    Loco_Beast Posts: 35 Member
    i'd love to start lifting properly but too embarrassed to go to the gym :blush:

    We all started somewhere, nothing to be embarrassed about. You'll thanks yourself later. Good luck
  • mom22dogs
    mom22dogs Posts: 470 Member
    I lift, it's actually my main form of exercise since I'm disabled and need to do exercises sitting down. I have really strong arms because I walk with crutches, but they've gotten even stronger from weightlifting. I do dumb bells and weight machines. I've actually almost maxed out the weight on one of the machines for my lat pulldowns.

    I always roll my eyes when women say they don't want to lift weights because they'll get bulky. If anything, my arms have gotten smaller from losing fat, but way more defined muscle.
  • dhimaan
    dhimaan Posts: 774 Member
    I usually workout at 2 30 or 3 am in the morning and there are females (a couple) lifting weights at that time. Now that's dedication.
  • refuseresist
    refuseresist Posts: 934 Member
    I rest between sets and log my reps on my phone, i'm not texting
This discussion has been closed.