Why Women Lift

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I have been doing Stronglifts for months, and I don't feel like it's doing anything for my butt. It's flabbier than ever since Ive lost weight. Hoping I can still firm it up somehow......

Are you going deep enough (Just past parallel)? Are you doing low-bar squats (these hit the butt easier/more)? If you've been doing it for a while you could drop to 3x5, then add in some things like lunges or barbell hip thrusts. Or really, since you are losing you might not have much luck building or shaping the muscle while on a deficit. You might have to wait until you reach your goal and are eating at maintenance. Then if that doesn't work you might have to eat at a slight surplus. People forget that often to shape and build up the butt we might need to GAIN muscle which generally requires a calorie surplus.

willrun4bagels

I like feeling strong when I'm not working out. Example: Yesterday, had both dogs (total of 75-80 lbs. of dog!) out for a walk, huge amount of broken glass on the sidewalk and no way to walk around it, so I hoisted one dog up with each arm and walked over the glass for about 100 ft. and set them back down. The woman driving past me did a double take.

KatieMae75

You've heard of "Runners High", right? When I was lifting regularly, I got that same feeling. It wasn't even all about being firm, it just felt good. There was mental clarity and a sense of well being I hadn't had before, and currently don't have (hence, getting back into it). Plus, I suck at cardio lol. I do a little cardio only to warm up. Any other cardio is on my bike in the woods.

husseycd

1. For my *kitten*.

2. For my *kitten*.

3. For my *kitten*.

4. Cuz muscle looks and feels fantastic.

5. For strong bones.

QFT :drinker:

QFQFT :drinker:

Oh yeah.

Like a lot of others here, I also enjoy being strong.

KHal11715

I just recently started lifting again and I am so happy I did! It makes me feel strong and it's something I look forward to. Looking forward to seeing results and putting more weight on the bar!

Joreanasaurous

Because it makes me feel strong and sexy

Because it actually does make me strong and sexy

Because it gives me the strength to climb walls and ropes and other challenges at Spartan races

Because I enjoy it

Because it lets me eat more.

I read this article today on this subject actually that I am now in love with: http://www.dailyhiit.com/hiit-blog/hiit-diet/1200-calories/

ShibaEars

I've used weights for a couple years, but at the beginning of this year my focus shifted to lifting as heavy as I can :happy:

I'm short (5'2"), so my whole life people have probably viewed me as weak. If I asked for assistance with carrying something, they would take over, and it drove me crazy! Now I know I am capable of lifting and moving heavier objects. I don't have to rely on anyone else and I LOVE that feeling.

It's given me a confidence I didn't have before. I feel more sure of myself in my everyday life. I love the challenge and the feeling of being able to lift heavier. I feel like I'm starting to already notice changes in my body shape and that makes me feel really good about myself.

Mrsallypants

Marines delay female fitness plan after half fail pull-up test More than half of female Marines in boot camp can't do three pull-ups, the minimum standard that was supposed to take effect with the new year, prompting the Marine Corps to delay the requirement, part of the process of equalizing physical standards to integrate women into combat jobs.

This is one reason why women should lift, so more can fight and die for the US. That and save my back when I move.

arabianhorselover

Our military standards should not be lowered for anybody. it's bad enough that the weight requirements were already relaxed years ago.


quote]

Marines delay female fitness plan after half fail pull-up test More than half of female Marines in boot camp can't do three pull-ups, the minimum standard that was supposed to take effect with the new year, prompting the Marine Corps to delay the requirement, part of the process of equalizing physical standards to integrate women into combat jobs.

This is one reason why women should lift, so more can fight and die for the US. That and save my back when I move.
[/quote]

arabianhorselover

I have switched to 3x5. I have the bar on my upper back; not my neck. I can't say that I go beyond parallel, though.

I have been doing Stronglifts for months, and I don't feel like it's doing anything for my butt. It's flabbier than ever since Ive lost weight. Hoping I can still firm it up somehow......

Are you going deep enough (Just past parallel)? Are you doing low-bar squats (these hit the butt easier/more)? If you've been doing it for a while you could drop to 3x5, then add in some things like lunges or barbell hip thrusts. Or really, since you are losing you might not have much luck building or shaping the muscle while on a deficit. You might have to wait until you reach your goal and are eating at maintenance. Then if that doesn't work you might have to eat at a slight surplus. People forget that often to shape and build up the butt we might need to GAIN muscle which generally requires a calorie surplus.

JoRocka

I have switched to 3x5. I have the bar on my upper back; not my neck. I can't say that I go beyond parallel, though.

I have been doing Stronglifts for months, and I don't feel like it's doing anything for my butt. It's flabbier than ever since Ive lost weight. Hoping I can still firm it up somehow......

Are you going deep enough (Just past parallel)? Are you doing low-bar squats (these hit the butt easier/more)? If you've been doing it for a while you could drop to 3x5, then add in some things like lunges or barbell hip thrusts. Or really, since you are losing you might not have much luck building or shaping the muscle while on a deficit. You might have to wait until you reach your goal and are eating at maintenance. Then if that doesn't work you might have to eat at a slight surplus. People forget that often to shape and build up the butt we might need to GAIN muscle which generally requires a calorie surplus.

take a video- or set a box up so that it is unquestionably below parallel (parallel means HIP CREASE is at or below the knee- not the hip bone itself) and do some bar only or body weight squats to that depth. Do that and get a feeling for what that feels like- then start to load up- if you haven't been breaking parallel- you'll probably need to de-load significantly.

epido

I do all my lifting with kettle bells. I do it for all the associated health benefits. I do it because I enjoy "keeping up with the boys" and, in some cases, surpassing them when taking a kettle bell class. I do it because I love pushing myself to see just how far I can go/how much weight I can actually move. I do it because I work in a profession dominated by men and love being able to hold my own with them. I do it because in the past 4 months I have lost 50+ pounds, and 33.25 inches. I do it so my son can see that strong women are beautiful, confident, and nothing to be intimidated by. I do it because I love how I feel after a hard workout.

The only thing I wish I had done differently, is to have started doing it sooner.

smc864

I lift heavy because it makes me feel like a bada$$

I like looking athletic rather than skinny

thatonegirlwiththestuff

I simply HATE cardio and I LOVE lifting

nyla2120

It totally can transform your body & give you the most amazing curves! I feel amazing when I'm lifting heavier weights than the dude next to me

lyndabyh

1. For my *kitten*.

2. For my *kitten*.

3. For my *kitten*.

4. Cuz muscle looks and feels fantastic.

5. For strong bones.

This !!!

kelsully

I do it begrudgingly, as I do not find it fun or exciting...but it is the only way to get sexy arms and if it helps balance my muscles and keep me injury free so I can run I will do it.

KoopaSix

kitkatbar972

Because I don't like being a wimp

Blokeypoo

I hate cardio and currently use wt machines and have always loved feeling strong when moving heavy logs etc.

I'd love to lift and have read NROLFW and am meeting a female PT next week to hopefully start once I have her advice.

The reason I'm cautious is that my knees are an issue after nearly 20yrs mountain walking (ouch those descents!), I can't do lunges, leg press machine or the ham curl and opposite (can't remember name!) machines. Well I can, my legs are very strong but they hurt my knees.

Does anyone have a good news story about knees and lifting?

Thanks everso and wish me luck!

scyian

Great thread. I did start NRLW and I think I'll start it again. This is inspirational.

pinkprincess3082

Because I'm fed up of being skinny fat....and cardio is hideous!

CHSegl

Read the first post in this:
TOPIC: I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym
And you'll get it. Totally worth the time invested- get StrongLifts 5x5, and the Rippetoe book "starting strength" and go to town!

susanmc31

Like everyone else, I love being strong - it makes me feel like a badass.

I was moving furniture around with my mother-in-law and my husband and father-in-law were so impressed.

One day my husband complimented me on my back muscles and how good I was looking (he's not huge on compliments).

Random guys stopping me at the gym and telling me how awesome i'm doing and how impressed they are with my lifting (in a non-creepy way).

I love DOMS! I know muscles are working and forming when I have a hard time sitting on the toilet after leg day lol.

I love it so much that I love going to the gym - with cardio I dreaded going.

aspired2lift

Great topic OP!

ottermotorcycle

I lift because I'm tired of girls being told they're not as strong as boys and shouldn't try!

I lift because 1200 calories is starvation.
I lift because cardio SUCKS.
I life because I challenge the idea that skinnier is better.