Lifting is "bad for you"

yogicarl

I don't think the OP mentions a six pack, just that the friend appeared to lift weights by her physique.

I know the thread is focusing on the "Lifting is bad for you" comment, but clearly this friend must be doing something right even if she holds some weird ideas about lifting. Maybe good to look at those alternatives and not just throw the whole thing out because of one misconception.

Anyway, no problem - carry on ...

DR2501

So you're saying her rationale is wrong but her reasoning (i.e. don't lift weights) is right?

LiminalAscendance

If we're equipped to push another human being out of our vagina, I think I'll take my chances with lifting.

Women still do that?

From what I've seen, they're apparently not equipped for it anymore, unless they just enjoy the convenience of C-sections.

jimmmer

Anyway it's all pretty subjective, isn't it?

What does someone who lifts even look like? That depends on a whole host of factors including diet and training style (and I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but 5x5 isn't the only way to lift...), genetics, training history, etc.

I'm willing to bet a 56kg Oly lifter looks pretty different from a Heavyweight Powerlifter. And the contest lean Bodybuilder looks different to either of them.

Dragonwolf

If we're equipped to push another human being out of our vagina, I think I'll take my chances with lifting.

Women still do that?

From what I've seen, they're apparently not equipped for it anymore, unless they just enjoy the convenience of C-sections.

Going by doctors in a lot of hospitals, that seems to be the case. However, in my (first hand) experience, they're quite overly pushy and quick to jump to a C-Section even when it hasn't even really been required. There are so many things wrong with how Western medicine tries to deliver babies...

yogicarl

So you're saying her rationale is wrong but her reasoning (i.e. don't lift weights) is right?

No - I'm saying (I think) that her rationale is wrong but the outcome (her physique) may indicate that she has found an alternate path to a similar goal.

- but as jimmer rightly says, it is all pretty subjective.

A lean physique may look muscular simply because the surface fat as been stripped away, and all the other variations of what a fit physique looks like to the individual.

Dragonwolf

Two things I got from the original post that have not been addressed:

1. the friends has a body that the OP considers to be "fit" and must be well defined (in the OP's eyes) for her to think her friend lifted weights, and;
2. the friend apparently doesn't lift weights, so;

is it worth investigating how the friend has arrived at such a fit body and see if there is anything worth taking on board, instead of dismissing completely just because she has a misguided (maybe) opinion on lifting weights?

<backs away slowly, but leaves the idea there for consideration> ?

I know a woman that has a six pack after giving birth to three children and she doesn't even work out. This may be another case of freaky genetics. What people are responding to is "lifting is bad for you because....," which is not true. Period.

Combination of genetics and could also be the kickboxing routine. I know a kickboxer who's insanely defined and muscular, too. I actually asked her if she lifts at all outside of the kickboxing and she doesn't.

However, our kickboxing and boxing classes not only include the boxing gloves (spend an hour keeping those suckers at head level or above and see how your shoulders feel...), but also a number of squats/jump squats, lunges, pushups, planks, burpees, etc. There's certainly enough there to build a respectable strength and muscle foundation, especially if you modify it to continuously make it a challenge.

Anyway it's all pretty subjective, isn't it?

What does someone who lifts even look like? That depends on a whole host of factors including diet and training style (and I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but 5x5 isn't the only way to lift...), genetics, training history, etc.

I'm willing to bet a 56kg Oly lifter looks pretty different from a Heavyweight Powerlifter. And the contest lean Bodybuilder looks different to either of them.

While you're technically right that people who lift for raw power don't care as much about body fat, it's generally pretty obvious the women who do some kind of strength training for fitness (for which striving for a relatively low BF% is kind of a given). At which point, the main variable is body fat, but the underlying musculature and the overall shape is still rather evident between the women that do a progressive strength training routine and the women who don't.

See also -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1366368-women-lifting-heavy-and-being-bulky

likitisplit

If we're equipped to push another human being out of our vagina, I think I'll take my chances with lifting.

Women still do that?

From what I've seen, they're apparently not equipped for it anymore, unless they just enjoy the convenience of C-sections.

I liked being able to lift my first child when recovering from my second. The convenience of C-sections is over-rated.

jimmmer

While you're technically right that people who lift for raw power don't care as much about body fat, it's generally pretty obvious the women who do some kind of strength training for fitness (for which striving for a relatively low BF% is kind of a given). At which point, the main variable is body fat, but the underlying musculature and the overall shape is still rather evident between the women that do a progressive strength training routine and the women who don't.

See also -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1366368-women-lifting-heavy-and-being-bulky

I'm not suggesting that powerlifters have to carry excess fat. I was just saying that heavy-weight powerlifter will look different from a low weight oly lifter or a bodybuilder. All differences in lift selection, rep ranges, volume, frequency, genetics, diet, etc.

I'm not sure why I'm supposed to be viewing the thread you posted?

_KitKat_

While you're technically right that people who lift for raw power don't care as much about body fat, it's generally pretty obvious the women who do some kind of strength training for fitness (for which striving for a relatively low BF% is kind of a given). At which point, the main variable is body fat, but the underlying musculature and the overall shape is still rather evident between the women that do a progressive strength training routine and the women who don't.

See also -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1366368-women-lifting-heavy-and-being-bulky

I'm not suggesting that powerlifters have to carry excess fat. I was just saying that heavy-weight powerlifter will look different from a low weight oly lifter or a bodybuilder. All differences in lift selection, rep ranges, volume, frequency, genetics, diet, etc.

I'm not sure why I'm supposed to be viewing the thread you posted?

I wasn't sure either at first but then I read your original post.


In that thread Sarah has pics up and she is more of a power lifter and competes, usmc has pics up and does bodybuilding. They are both smaller women that fully clothed most on the street would never guess that they lift. That may be a reason for the link.

jimmmer

To be fair we don't know what the friend from the OP looks like.

That would be a good starting point.

But you can look good and not lift. It is possible. I know that's not a popular view in the church of lifting, but it's the truth.

People who do all kinds of athletic things have good bodies. Lifting can help. Lifting may even be the one of the best routes to a good body-comp. But lets not pretend it's the only route, that would be disingenuous.

Dragonwolf

While you're technically right that people who lift for raw power don't care as much about body fat, it's generally pretty obvious the women who do some kind of strength training for fitness (for which striving for a relatively low BF% is kind of a given). At which point, the main variable is body fat, but the underlying musculature and the overall shape is still rather evident between the women that do a progressive strength training routine and the women who don't.

See also -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1366368-women-lifting-heavy-and-being-bulky

I'm not suggesting that powerlifters have to carry excess fat. I was just saying that heavy-weight powerlifter will look different from a low weight oly lifter or a bodybuilder. All differences in lift selection, rep ranges, volume, frequency, genetics, diet, etc.

I'm not sure why I'm supposed to be viewing the thread you posted?

I wasn't sure either at first but then I read your original post.


In that thread Sarah has pics up and she is more of a power lifter and competes, usmc has pics up and does bodybuilding. They are both smaller women that fully clothed most on the street would never guess that they lift. That may be a reason for the link.

Pretty much. All the women who posted pics lift and are engaged in various progressive lifting programs. While it is slightly biased in the sense that the ladies who have posted there all care to some degree about body fat, I think it illustrates the point that body fat is the main difference between different female lifters, not muscle mass, diet, or routine (though diet does play a role in level of body fat).

Dragonwolf

To be fair we don't know what the friend from the OP looks like.

That would be a good starting point.

But you can look good and not lift. It is possible. I know that's not a popular view in the church of lifting, but it's the truth.

People who do all kinds of athletic things have good bodies. Lifting can help. Lifting may even be the one of the best routes to a good body-comp. But lets not pretend it's the only route, that would be disingenuous.

I don't think anyone here is saying it's the only route. We've all just said that the OP's friend's reason for not lifting is...well...stupid.

jimmmer

To be fair we don't know what the friend from the OP looks like.

That would be a good starting point.

But you can look good and not lift. It is possible. I know that's not a popular view in the church of lifting, but it's the truth.

People who do all kinds of athletic things have good bodies. Lifting can help. Lifting may even be the one of the best routes to a good body-comp. But lets not pretend it's the only route, that would be disingenuous.

I don't think anyone here is saying it's the only route. We've all just said that the OP's friend's reason for not lifting is...well...stupid.

Oh yeah, that's accepted.

It's just Carl wanted to ask about the other aspect of the OP that everyone seemed to be ignoring. My post was an attempt to address that question.

chrissyrenee1029

To be fair we don't know what the friend from the OP looks like.

That would be a good starting point.

But you can look good and not lift. It is possible. I know that's not a popular view in the church of lifting, but it's the truth.

People who do all kinds of athletic things have good bodies. Lifting can help. Lifting may even be the one of the best routes to a good body-comp. But lets not pretend it's the only route, that would be disingenuous.

I don't think anyone here is saying it's the only route. We've all just said that the OP's friend's reason for not lifting is...well...stupid.

Oh yeah, that's accepted.

It's just Carl wanted to ask about the other aspect of the OP that everyone seemed to be ignoring. My post was an attempt to address that question.

I'm not disputing the fact that there's more than one way to accomplish goals. I did in fact listen to her suggestion as to which gym to visit and she mentioned some classes that she attends/teaches. I didn't dismiss her completely because she does look pretty awesome.

My only issue was with the artery comment.

dbmata

Why is everything a fight? God people, can't we just get along?!

likitisplit

Why is everything a fight? God people, can't we just get along?!

See bolded for getting along failure reason.

yogicarl

Apologies please if I upset the cart by derailing the thread. I felt my question was valid as it was asking about the other half of the original post - if the OP felt the friend's physique was impressive enough to feel she must lift weights only to find she did not, I just wondered what other training regime she might have followed.

If the main point of the OP was the friend's attitude to or belief about weight lifting then yes I agree she has a misguided view as, whatever resistance work she may be doing, she may still be subjecting her muscles to sufficient resistance to stimulate change and meeting similar blood pressure changes; which I believe was her reservation about lifting.

chrissyrenee1029

Why is everything a fight? God people, can't we just get along?!

Leanbean65

Squats can help strengthen the pelvic floor but you have to make sure you are pulling the muscles up and in as you squat. Never hold your breath or "bear down".

Exhale on effort and make sure the weights are appropriate for your level.

That being said if there is already a prolapse or incontinence you should take to a pelvic rehabilitation specialist first.

FitFroglet

It also makes hair grow on your chest. BEWARE!

Gwyneth Paltrow's personal trainer says that no woman should lift more than 3 lbs. Think about that...

erm... how heavy is the average newborn child?
:laugh:

KaseyMackenzie

Please, for the love of God, won't someone THINK OF THE BABIES?!?!

(And yes, I think that comment is cute.)

ETA: I started heavy lifting just a couple weeks ago after a few weeks of using the weight machines, and a year of Zumba, and I am loving it so far. I am continuing to do Zumba 4-5 times a week because I loves it, but I am now addicted to heavy lifting as well.

My mother-in-law once got upset when I told her I lifted because lifting would "rupture my uterus". I thought her concern was pretty cute, actually Probably wouldn't have been cute if it was coming from a different source.