Women and Strength Training

End6ame

Dispelling the myth that all women need is cardio.
http://jcdfitness.com/2011/08/attention-women-heres-proof-that-lifting-heavy-weights-will-not-make-you-big-and-bulky/

Christine Beauchamp has competed in two powerlifting meets


Neghar Fonooni trains using olympic lifts


Neither of them look bulky to me.

chevy88grl

Women need to do strength training to avoid the "skinny fat" look. No need to worry ladies - we don't have the testosterone needed to "bulk up". Too much estrogen flowing through our systems to be bulky. So. Don't be afraid of the weights!

cindy0716

Using weights, even light weights, helps our bones grown stronger also - which is really important for most women. Don't want to be osteoporotic in our old (and middle) age.

kdiamond

They both look amazing!

I also LOVE Erin Stern! She is a real inspiration to me!

c2sky

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types. Usually the women who do, don't seem to mind. But most don't. Regarding osteoporisis, ACSM conducted a study back in 2004. They found that what helped women increase the bone density (over hormone replacement therapy, calcium and traditional "light strength...15 reps....and other weight bearing exercise) was 6-8 repititions of heavier weight.

The group was tested with 5 exercises.
1) lat pull
2) Row
3) squat with barbell
4) Dead lift
5) Leg Press

These were all women in the beginning stages of osteoporosis and with osetopenia.

healthychelsea

I personally LOVE strength training! Cardio, I only love after I'm done and got through it! ha.

questionablemethods

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types.

I've seen people say this, and I don't doubt your experience, but I wish I could see some photographs of women who have bulked up or something because maybe it's just that my definition of "bulking up" is different from theirs.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types.

I've seen people say this, and I don't doubt your experience, but I wish I could see some photographs of women who have bulked up or something because maybe it's just that my definition of "bulking up" is different from theirs.

If you type "women bodybuilding" into google there's some scary *kitten* in there.

tlrunyon

I'm short and staulky. I have a lean tall friend. Bulky? No, but I tend to see more muscle definition. Because I do see this I've always wondered how hard/easy it would be for me to "bulk-up" if I lifted serious weights. The pic of Erin Stern(?) in the black outfit looks awesome...can I look like that????:explode:

susanswan

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types.

I've seen people say this, and I don't doubt your experience, but I wish I could see some photographs of women who have bulked up or something because maybe it's just that my definition of "bulking up" is different from theirs.

I have seen pictures of extremely bulky looking women along the lines of Arnold. I'm sure they are the few. Isn't that due to some kind of steroid use or something along those lines as well? Even in women? I'm ignorant about the topic but would like to know the answer.

Kath712

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm currently doing "New Rules of Lifting for Women." Hoping to look half as good as these women.

lilRicki

I'm a big fan of Jamie Eason too, from bodybuilders.com

gdengler

They do look great, and it can be done but keep in mind they are probably at their competition fat percentage which requires some pretty hardcore diet and exercise routines to get to, let alone try and maintain. They are still inspirations nonetheless!!! :-)

thkelly

Christine Beauchamp has competed in two powerlifting meets

she looks different when she's powerlifting though. check out the pics on her blog. she's pretty awesome... and crazy strong.

http://fortheloveofcookies.wordpress.com/

cobaltis

Yes those "scary" ones on google are often using steroids/testosterone

robinaddison

I'm shortish, and my muscles tend to be 'bunchy' - they are well defined and chunky and not long and lean. It would be very easy I think for me to bulk up some - and truth be told, I'm OK with it. I enjoy weight training and I like the look of muscle definition, chunky or not, over flab and flapping skin!

ts014

I'm a big fan of Jamie Eason too, from bodybuilders.com

wow! just looked her up and she is my new inspiration! she is built but still looks very feminine! love it!

http://www.jamieeason.com/photos/view/?cid=26175_image_112

questionablemethods

I'm shortish, and my muscles tend to be 'bunchy' - they are well defined and chunky and not long and lean. It would be very easy I think for me to bulk up some - and truth be told, I'm OK with it. I enjoy weight training and I like the look of muscle definition, chunky or not, over flab and flapping skin!

Same here, but I guess I wouldn't refer to that as "bulky." But I guess I just have a different definition than some. I've also come to realize that I'm not going to change the actual shape of my muscles -- I'm never going to look like a ballerina, so I might as well make what I do have look the best it can.

questionablemethods

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types.

I've seen people say this, and I don't doubt your experience, but I wish I could see some photographs of women who have bulked up or something because maybe it's just that my definition of "bulking up" is different from theirs.

I have seen pictures of extremely bulky looking women along the lines of Arnold. I'm sure they are the few. Isn't that due to some kind of steroid use or something along those lines as well? Even in women? I'm ignorant about the topic but would like to know the answer.

Well yeah, but those women make looking like that their full-time job (or nearly so) and I'm guessing quite a few of the seriously Arnold-looking ones also have the help of drugs. They aren't the average woman doing some curls and squats with a trainer.

lilRicki

I'm shortish, and my muscles tend to be 'bunchy' - they are well defined and chunky and not long and lean. It would be very easy I think for me to bulk up some - and truth be told, I'm OK with it. I enjoy weight training and I like the look of muscle definition, chunky or not, over flab and flapping skin!

Same here, but I guess I wouldn't refer to that as "bulky." But I guess I just have a different definition than some. I've also come to realize that I'm not going to change the actual shape of my muscles -- I'm never going to look like a ballerina, so I might as well make what I do have look the best it can.

yeah I'm a brick *kitten*-house too...I will never be a ballerina either,there's nothing I can do about it...doesn't mean I don't lift weights though lol

karrenbennett

I'm short (4' 10") and I'll bulk up in a heart beat without any drugs to assist me. BUT... they will only grow to a certain point and then stop. That's ok with me.

My idol (or inspiration) is Ernestine Shepherd). She's a 73 year old body builder/fitness trainer and she looks amazing. It is my desire that when I am her age I'm still in the fitness lifestyle.

harmsllc

In my opinion, there is nothing more attractive than toned arms on a woman. It makes them look fit and healthy and takes years off their age. By combining push ups and women using the Push Up Bench, its the most effective, easy and fastest way to toned arms. Google "Push Up Bench and check it out!

baisleac

My idol (or inspiration) is Ernestine Shepherd). She's a 73 year old body builder/fitness trainer and she looks amazing. It is my desire that when I am her age I'm still in the fitness lifestyle.

Damn! I have a new idol!



http://ernestineshepherd.net/?p=4

erinhale

It's tempting to say that women will not bulk up. As a trainer, I used to tell people that....But some, do, and they know it. There are different body types.

I've seen people say this, and I don't doubt your experience, but I wish I could see some photographs of women who have bulked up or something because maybe it's just that my definition of "bulking up" is different from theirs.

I have seen pictures of extremely bulky looking women along the lines of Arnold. I'm sure they are the few. Isn't that due to some kind of steroid use or something along those lines as well? Even in women? I'm ignorant about the topic but would like to know the answer.

Those women try to get that way with gainers, teststrone boosting and all sort of other stuff. Its purposeful. You, normal people, aren't going to get like that unless you try really hard too.

bgelliott

They both look amazing!

I also LOVE Erin Stern! She is a real inspiration to me!

Who doesn't love Erin Stern! :-)

cpegasus01

My idol (or inspiration) is Ernestine Shepherd). She's a 73 year old body builder/fitness trainer and she looks amazing. It is my desire that when I am her age I'm still in the fitness lifestyle.

Damn! I have a new idol!

Lol! Yeah! Me too! She looks fantastic. I can only hope that I am still going strong and healthy at that age.