Women: Why are you afraid of muscle?

exercisesucks

I am curious. I talk to many women who are working out or are just starting to work out and many always say they want to get toned. Or, they say they dont want to bulk up. My question is: Why are you so afraid of gaining muscle? Being a women, you cant grow muscle at the rate men can do to lack of testosterone. But you can get stronger and firmer from it and it keeps things from falling, if you get my drift. So what gives?

htimpaired

Well I can't speak for others but I personally am seeking muscle. I used to have a pretty ripped body and then six years ago things happened that led to my slacking off the diet and fitness. I'm trying to get back to the muscle, believe me! So I for one do not shy away from it-I look forwards to the day I am toned and lean, not...squishy.

laughingdani

I think most women are afraid of looking "bigger". That is a misconception that a lot of people have...that muscle = big.
I have plenty of muscle and I am the smallest I have been in years. I am hoping to build up more muscle as I lose the last of my weight.

DancingYogini

I love muscles on me I like looking toned and strong. That was my main goal when I came here, since I didn't have that much to lose on the scale. I was looking to drop inches and gain some definition, which I have!

ShellyKay67

I'm not afraid of muscle!! haha
i actually think my arm muscles are better than some guys! (just my opinion tho)
working on my leg muscles now with running, elliptical and weight training!
bring on the muscle!!

precioustypeoflove

i dont mind alittle but i want to stay lady like and not scare my man away im not into the whole body building woman look yuk!!

potluck965

I'm not afraid of muscle and have always been frustrated that I couldn't build more. Maybe it's just the women you talk to. Some women have been force fed the idea that muscle isn't feminine since they were little kids and haven't broken free of that sterotypical way of thinking.

DrBorkBork

I've been obese all of my life and always admire a tightly toned female peer. I don't shy away from muscle. I look down at the tiny biceps that are starting to form & grin "Why, hello there, little friend!"
Muscles (and new bones/definitions coming out) make me feel sexy.

Ravyn1982

I'm not afraid of muscle but I also don't want to look like a body builder. I don't even want a six pack. I prefer my little flab that I had when I was fit before. I'm not built for muscle though. I like toned legs and arms but a little squishiness on the tummy. Just not what I have right now. hehe

meagalayne

You seem to be really painting all women with a very broad brush... Hate to say it, but you sound quite ill-informed. Take a look around this site for 5-10 mins and you'll find PLENTY of women that strength train, use protein supplements, and are total workout queens.
Maybe you just haven't been looking hard enough. Why do you ask?

HerBravado

I wouldn't mind some muscle, which is why I don't shy away from my weight training. (: To me, it makes me feel empowered. I feel so strong after my workouts, like I've already got some built up. lol !

myricksmom

I have been steadily losing weight but my forearm measurement has INCREASED. That is from a lot of swimming. I was a tad uncomfortable with it at first but as I thought about it I realized that I walked around for years with tons of loose weight on me...why on earth should I be afraid of muscle???

PJilly

I love muscle. I hear some say that muscles aren't feminine. To them, I say they most certainly are when they're on a woman.

ley1

i like my wobbly bits...i just wish there werent so many of them lol!!

bbygrl5

I LOVE my muscle!!! It's sexy!! In my experience when women are afraid of muscle it's also because their fat percentage is high and this mixed with muscle will give a woman a bulky look. I think it's important to have a healthy balance between lowering fat percentage and building muscle. This also helps with anyone worried about skin issues.

lutzsher

I think most woman automatically think of a body builders physique without realizing that those ladies take suppliments AND train for a minimum of 6 hours per day for competition.
The amount of weight training a "normal" person would do to stay fit won't give you those results but some woman are misinformed and think they will bulk up.
Personally I would just like to be able to kick anyone's *kitten* . . . not that I would . . . but knowing Im strong enough to actually do it would be amazing! I'll get there and then just watch out . . . ha ha.

helloiloveukitty

I personally don't want the super all over visibly muscular look for me but I see tons of women who rock it and love it. No fear, just a preference.

ickybella

I'm certainly not afraid of muscle. I am so proud of the little bit I've got right now. Nice generalization, though. I'm super glad so many were able to prove you wrong.

schnarfo

I loveeeeeee my new muscles from strength training! Doesnt make me look bulky just toned! Plus it makes a lot of daily chores so much easier being a bit stronger. So in response to the original post - Im not scared! Bring it on!!!

AEROBICVIC

LOVE LOVE LOVE MUSCLE!!! the more the better! muscle is sexy!!!

but most of the women i train don't feel that way...they are afraid of it. even after talking to them i don't understand what they are afraid of. i have found that they're are going by the pictures they have seen of women who take roids and body build. some of those women are bigger than my husband who is a 275 pound powerlifter. now....that i can see them being afraid of.

even after i explain why we as woman cannot naturally build that type of muscle and the fact it takes years to build it, they still shy away from wt training. they normally start a routine but never finish. i have a few girls at the gym who take it serious and compete like i do but that is it. .....couple

catcrazy

i like my wobbly bits...i just wish there werent so many of them lol!!

Ditto, toned is fine, muscle definition isn't. You like it that's fine, I'm not scared of it I just don't like it.

Different strokes and all that