How many women actually workout with weights

Loco_Beast

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.

dutchandkiwi

I do, and I plan to get more into weights over time. I love it! Though for me it is not heavy lifting, but the more I use weights the more I am getting into it..
There are a number of women here that do heavy lifting though.

Loco_Beast

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

I am just getting started with weights. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

RoxieDawn

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

ngolden3320 wrote: »

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

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.

oh_happy_day

I do - 5 days a week and have done for years. Still not bulky...shock! Weights have done more for my figure than any other exercise. All of my female friends who are into exercise/gym train with weights and my gym is packed with women training with weights regularly.

singingflutelady

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

Heartlight441

I have started a home lifting program with weights. I'm lifting as heavy as I can to finish to 8 reps each set. While it may not be heavy to some, for me it's a challenge. I LOVE lifting more than cardio and plan to do this the rest of my life. (I also belong to a gym but home is most convenient at this time). I'm not worried I'll get bulky but rather believe lifting is what will transform my shape, along with my diet.

Arathels

I powerlift with two huge guys.. I lift heavy and I work hard.. Tell me, how manly am I?

smileymaxine

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

ScoobaChick

I DL my BW and my next goal is to get to the big plates. I'm not sure that it's even possible for women to get "bulky" without the intense body building training regimen associated with professional competition level body building.

Lifting heavy though will help build bone mass and that will be invaluable for most of us down the road. I always tell my hubby that I Zumba for now (to have fun) and that I lift for later (to counter the bone and muscle loss associated with aging).

cafisher0404

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

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!

quiksylver296

I've been working Stronglifts since November. Just starting to think about moving to an intermediate program. I am the least "bulky" I've ever been.

Current lifts - 1RM

Squats - 250 lbs
Bench - 145 lbs
Deads - 245 lbs

That was back in March. I'm sure I'll blow that out of the water next time I try 1RM.

weightliftingbarbie

I lift and I love it!!

HStheBusyBee

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!

usmcmp

I'm a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter. I've been lifting for 5 years and I'm still trying to get bulky.

Guns_N_Buns

pichiPurinsesu

i'd love to start lifting properly but too embarrassed to go to the gym

kimdawnhayden

I lift!

Loco_Beast

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

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

cafisher0404 wrote: »

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

pichiPurinsesu wrote: »

i'd love to start lifting properly but too embarrassed to go to the gym

We all started somewhere, nothing to be embarrassed about. You'll thanks yourself later. Good luck

mom22dogs

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

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.

1Rune

I think "bulky" is probably pretty subjective and that the kind of muscle and shape you put on is going to depend on your body, your choice of rx, and the weight you train with. A woman can absolutely bulk up more than she wants to - I have, and I'm freakishly tall and long-limbed. I make crazy quads and went on a biceps bender a few years ago trying out new exercises, and (shockingly) wound up with biceps the size of softballs. I never even noticed until someone commented on my "guns", since I never stood around flexing in front of a mirror. I totally blame the preacher curls - which I still love, but I use lighter weights and go for distance reps instead of powering thru short reps/heavy weights, unless I really am interested in *building a muscle, like glutes, for instance.
My general rule of thumb is isolation ex runs light, compound movements heavier, but that's probably a good plan for all kinds of reasons. Like "don't snap anything you might need to use tomorrow", lol.

MlleKelly

Every week, three times a week. I have a dumb bell rack and weight bench at home, so I'm hardly ever in the gym, but I push until the muscles fail.

It's true that lifting will change the composition of a woman's body, but for me that means a leaner appearance, more definition in my muscles, and a stronger, slimmer silhouette. The only reason I'm bulky is because I won't give up my cheeeeeeeeese!!!!

refuseresist

I rest between sets and log my reps on my phone, i'm not texting