Weight training advice please!

karia17
karia17 Posts: 19 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been weight training regularly 2x per week for about 5 weeks now. In each session I work out my entire body in one go.
I have been told primarily on my abs that I shouldn't increase my weights just my repetitions, that if I do increase the weight I will end up with a bulky look opposed to a leaner look. Is this true?

I am a bit confused on when I should increase my weights and by how much should I increase them?
Right now I have been basing it off of doing 2 sets of 10. Should I be doing more sets and same weight when it's too easily done or should I be increasing weights keeping the sets the same?
I am wanting a leaner look but I do not want to stunt my weight loss because I am afraid of getting too bulky.
Also should I be increasing my weight lifting to 3x weekly by now? I am not feeling incredibly sore after.

Thank you!~

Replies

  • init2fitit
    init2fitit Posts: 168 Member
    You won't get bulky for 2, mostly assumed, reasons:
    1. you probably don't make enough testosterone.
    2. you're eating at a deficit
  • FrankiesSaysRelax
    FrankiesSaysRelax Posts: 403 Member
    I highly recommend reading the new rules of lifting for women. You will NOT accidentally get bulky by adding weight to your routine. Women train for years to put on a few solid pounds of muscle. I assume you're not eating at a surplus? Then you definitely won't be building any muscle. Also, you might want to think about up-ing the sets and lowering the reps. Stronglifts is another good program to look up, and it's free.
  • karia17
    karia17 Posts: 19 Member
    I highly recommend reading the new rules of lifting for women. You will NOT accidentally get bulky by adding weight to your routine. Women train for years to put on a few solid pounds of muscle. I assume you're not eating at a surplus? Then you definitely won't be building any muscle. Also, you might want to think about up-ing the sets and lowering the reps. Stronglifts is another good program to look up, and it's free.

    Okay thank you! maybe I should try three sets of 8?
    No I am not eating any extra to build muscle. I've just heard ( obviously from uninformed individuals) that I could get bulky while trying to lift to lose weight they said mainly to be careful with my abs.
    Stronglifts should I google that?
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    Lifting weights dont get you big or bulky, eating a lot of calories do.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5yIqFeGlU

    These girls are not bulky or manly and they lift like guys.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    About five or six months ago, some of my gym buddies told me about "pyramid" weight lifting when you choose to use the machines. For example, you start at a lower weight with higher repetitions for a set of four. It looks kind of like this:

    Set 1: weight 20, 12 repetitions
    Set 2: weight 25, 10 repetitions
    Set 3: weight 30, 8 repetitions
    Set 4: weight 35, 6 repetitions.
    You can finish off with a final set of weight 40, 4 repetitions if you want.

    Since I started lifting this way, I can't tell you the changes I've seen in my body. It's also very challenging as well, and it elevates your heart rate too.

    I have added in squats and free weights as well. I love weight lifting.

    Your won't bulk, but you will gain muscle and get toned.
  • tawanda6329
    tawanda6329 Posts: 139 Member
    Love the youtube video. Thanks for posting. I'm going to try that workout.
  • cdahl383
    cdahl383 Posts: 726 Member
    I've always had good results with doing 3 sets and between 6-12 reps. When I get up to 12-15 reps I usually up the weight. If you cant do at least 6-8 reps with good form then its probably too heavy.

    After a few months of full body workouts you might want to split it up a little where you do chest/triceps one day and then back/biceps/shoulders another day, and then legs another day, that way you have more time for your muscles to rest. You can then do more exercises for each muscle group on each day since you have more time to rest, etc.

    Women seem to be scared of getting too bulky, but to me nothing looks more attractive than a women with some tone and muscle on her. I'm not talking about the bodybuilder women, but the fit toned look. There are a lot of women in the gym that are thin but they dont have much muscle tone because all they do is cardio or they lift with 5 lb weights. Unless you start eating more and lifting really heavy on a serious program I doubt you'll get too big or bulky.

    Sounds like you're on the right track and making good progress!

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