My PT doesn't believe in heavy lifting for women

debants

working with my trainer this AM and reading the New Rules of Lifting for Women - I told her I was interested in getting into heavy lifting as I have seen some great results frm ladies on MFP. She feels that heavy lifting will not get me the longated/buffed muscles but rather bulky - which I proclaimed that its not possible for women. I think I should be pushing myself hard and not lifting 5lbs dumbells 15x over - I feel like I am just going through the motion. Ladies with success out there what are your thoughts? What has worked for you. My goal is to reduce body fat and basically a body recomp - not really concerend about the # on the scale!

DavPul

What's the question here? There seems to be only one acceptable course of action

KseRz

Is she training you for free? If not, get a new trainer who is willing to earn their money and not fight with their clients.

Is this the equivalent of a massage therapist that insists on concentrating on your hamstrings when you said your problem areas were your shoulders?

How about the investment banker that wants to put all of your money into orange crops and not in oil futures like you wanted?

I could go on and on, but if whoever you are paying isnt working for you, then stop paying them and find someone else.

Unknown

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AllOutof_Bubblegum

Your PT is a fool. Get a new one.

bcf7683

Hell, even if they're working for free, give them the boot. You have the right mindset, don't let someone talk you out of that.

debants

Yeah - I'm afraid of the answer - like the trainer but not sure I agree with her - however I am no expert!

rml_16

Fire PT. Hire new PT who isn't clueless. Problem solved.

JTick

I find I get along better with male PTs...they don't seem nearly so scared of having women lift heavy. Just my experience though.

ETA: Also, agreed with everyone else. Either find a new trainer, or start watching YouTube and getting help on the forums to teach yourself how to lift.

Galatea_Stone

Yeah - I'm afraid of the answer - like the trainer but not sure I agree with her - however I am no expert!

Clearly, neither is she.

ShibaEars

I would get a new trainer. Whether she thinks women should lift or not is irrelevant. If YOU want to lift, find a trainer that will help you work toward YOUR goals.

canadjineh

Yeah - I'm afraid of the answer - like the trainer but not sure I agree with her - however I am no expert!

Neither is she, unfortunately - get one certified by ACE American Council on Exercise - who is keeping up with the latest info/workshops on heavy lifting for women, or if you see someone in your gym who looks like they have a good trainer (building the kind of body you want) ask them about their trainer. It doesn't have to be a woman, but he/she should be knowledgeable about how our different biomechanics affect a heavy lift.

DanaHerro

FIRE. YOUR. TRAINER. STAT.

SugaryLynx

Voting for new trainer!

rml_16

I find I get along better with male PTs...they don't seem nearly so scared of having women lift heavy. Just my experience though.

The last two male PTs I worked with would not even show me how to use free weights, despite my specifically asking them to (these were free sessions, so I just didn't hire them).

I am working with a woman now and she's fantastic. Sadly, I can't keep paying for her so I only have two sessions left. But in a matter of three months, thanks to her guidance, I am making strength gains and venturing on my own into territory I didn't understand that kind of scared me before.

Male or female, there are good and bad trainers. When you find one who knows less than you know, you need to find a different one.

rikracer61

I'm with the others here, if you don't like the advise your traineris giving you, find one that has the same mindset as you. You are more likely to reach your goals if you trust your trainers methods( which you obviously do not right now)

katro111

Get a new trainer. End of.

KseRz

I find I get along better with male PTs...they don't seem nearly so scared of having women lift heavy. Just my experience though.

The last two male PTs I worked with would not even show me how to use free weights, despite my specifically asking them to (these were free sessions, so I just didn't hire them).

I am working with a woman now and she's fantastic. Sadly, I can't keep paying for her so I only have two sessions left. But in a matter of three months, thanks to her guidance, I am making strength gains and venturing on my own into territory I didn't understand that kind of scared me before.

Male or female, there are good and bad trainers. When you find one who knows less than you know, you need to find a different one.

^^ That

aliakynes

Well we're all in agreement, you need a new trainer (as you wont change her mind and even if she agrees to let you lift heavy, she might not do it properly as she doesn't "believe" in it).

I'd be surprised if someone pops in defending the trainer.

Since you're using a gym and trainer, you might want to check out http://stronglifts.com/5x5/ ... Even though I'm not one of them, there are lots of stronglift women around here with really great results (I'd love to do it but can't afford a gym or pt).

kolarmm

GET A NEW PT! I am a female PT and I highly suggest heavy lifting for women! Women do not produce the hormones to "get big" like men do! Also the heavier you lift and the more muscle you gain, the higher your BMR will be. Just remember, muscle burns more calories than fat!

vim_n_vigor

Get a new trainer.

thepetiterunner

Your trainer should be willing to work with your goals, regardless of what they are. If she can't do that, time to go shopping for a new trainer.

mblair1968

Time to find a new trainer. You need one that will work with you, toward YOUR goals.

ValGogo

working with my trainer this AM and reading the New Rules of Lifting for Women - I told her I was interested in getting into heavy lifting as I have seen some great results frm ladies on MFP. She feels that heavy lifting will not get me the longated/buffed muscles but rather bulky - which I proclaimed that its not possible for women. I think I should be pushing myself hard and not lifting 5lbs dumbells 15x over - I feel like I am just going through the motion. Ladies with success out there what are your thoughts? What has worked for you. My goal is to reduce body fat and basically a body recomp - not really concerend about the # on the scale!

Sadly, lots of "trainers" are not really educated on fitness. Do your own homework and do what is right for you. She can say "don't" but that doesn't mean you have to.

Keep it up. I just started and I like how I feel.

dym123

A woman I work with was going through the same thing. Her first PT, a woman, had her doing light weights, heavy reps, she didn't feel she was making any progress. I suggested she go heavier, but her PT was against this. Fortunately her female PT left and she got a new one, a man. She told him she wanted to lift heavier and he was gung ho, because a lot of his female clients are afriad to lift heavy. Not sure if its a male female thing or just education, either way my friend likes her new PT much better.

danasings

I think the answer is obvious.

gobonas99

The fact that your trainer is THAT ill-informed is scary. :noway: Fire her immediately (and let her know why) and hire someone who knows their ****. :flowerforyou:

WendyTerry420

What's the question here? There seems to be only one acceptable course of action

^^ This

You might even provide the PT with a brief summary of what the author of NROL4W says, just as a matter of courtesy.

capnrus789

Your trainer should know the benefits of both (heavy lifting vs. low weight/high rep) and work with you to develop a program that will meet your goals. If not, get a new trainer.

Myhaloslipped

Sounds to me like she is trying to get more paid sessions out of you.

Twinmamamarion

time for a new trainer!