I think it might be working. Women

littlelol

when you say weight lifting , do you mean for your arms, legs or both? Also do you do it with free weights? Or on the machines? x

littlelol

also what weight should I lift? im 4ft 11 and 112pounds . DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

gonzalezmona

I love lifting weights....when I started out I was curling 8lbs....I maxed at 25lbs.....it's an awesome feeling to reach a goal. At my gym there are definately way more men than women lifting. I smile to myself when I see a man curling 20lbs as he gives a smirk when I enter "their" territory. Then his jaw drops as I curl 25lbs. Not expecting that from 4" 9 1/2" of me....lol!!

thecrossfitter

when you say weight lifting , do you mean for your arms, legs or both? Also do you do it with free weights? Or on the machines? x

Free weights- compounds lifts. This is my recommendation. However I realize not everyone has access to that, and you need someone to teach you.
( http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/12/01/11-things/ See #3 for an explanation of WHY I prefer free weights)

also what weight should I lift? im 4ft 11 and 112pounds . DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I don't really feel qualified to answer that, but do some research and ask around here - a lot of people have good experience and credentials. Just remember, "heavy" is relative. You gotta start where you are.

Also - here is the best plain written explanation I've read about why you won't bulk up:
http://www.crossfitsouthbay.com/2011/05/skinny-fat/

Rae6503

also what weight should I lift? im 4ft 11 and 112pounds . DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

As long as you eat under or at maintenance you (and don't take steroids) you want gain muscle mass. Do 3-5 sets of 5-12 reps with as heavy of weights as you safely can. When that weight gets easy, increase.

scarletleavy

While there is still A LOT of misinformation out there - for women especially - on how to get fit and "tone" (really Women's Health? Cosmo? REALLY?) I agree that I am definitely starting to see a shift. It's slow, but it is certainly there and it's exciting!

I'm not trying to sound all hard core feminist, but overall, I don't feel like I live in a society that values physical strength in women. I look at advertisements and billboards and magazines and I see physical strong men with low body fat and a lot of visible muscles. I see women who look (well 1-airbrushed) and two nearly emaciated looking. Further more, I hear others criticize women that have naturally built up some muscle (no, I don't mean bulky body builder image) and have lower body fat levels because they "don't have enough fat". So it's okay for men to have low body fat with muscles but not women? I don't think having 15% BF and being strong and muscular is the same as dieting your way there. To diet your way there, you'd likely be malnourished (of course some exceptions depending on genetics) - but to get there with strength training and building some muscle you're able to eat (a lot!) and be a healthy weight (in fact, you'll probably weigh more than anyone would ever guess).

HOWEVER! I have been seeing more ads that are starting to feature physically fit and strong women This is SO exciting! I think we will be seeing more of this in the future. I also hope to see less air brushing. Incidents such as the Ralph Lauren debacle seem to be bringing the "over-liquifying" to the public eye.

http://boingboing.net/2009/10/06/the-criticism-that-r.html
(GREAT read! Boing boing has some funny commentary about their cease and desist notice... TOTALLY fair use of the image)

But I digress. I do think things are changing, and I think it's up to us to change this mentality. I used to always say I desperately wanted a son instead of a daughter (no children now - in my mid/late 30s I hope to), but now I honestly hope to have a girl. I want to teach her how to eat properly, and how to strengthen her body

Why? Because I think THE best benefit of strength training is how much confidence it builds.

(Okay. Super feminist. I can't help it.... and of course I'd do the same if I had a son!)

I love this!

UrbanRunner81

I swear I am on the few at my gym that use the free weights and lift heavy. I see women picking up 3lb weights.... I know they can lift heavier than that. I just want to be like "Pick up something over 5lbs. I believe you can do it!" There are few girls I do see lifting heavy as me or heavier though.

You will not bulk up, you aren't a man. You don't have has much testosterone as man. I have been lifting heavy for almost a year now. I am not huge or bulky looking at all. I love having shape to my arms and legs.

klmnumbers

I need to get back into lifting. I actually was on the weight lighting team in high school (many moons ago). I wasn't super strong, but I doubt I could clean the amount I could back when I was 17 these days, haha.

mznisaelaine

I started "seriously" lifting for two months now and love it!...But now I slowed down on the free weights, etc, and I use my body weight for strength training and I love it!!

KayteeBear

I would love to do more weight lifting but I don't really have the option (can't afford a gym...plus small town so not really any gyms around). I do have a small set of dumbbells that I like to use. They're only up to 8 lbs though. I can't really afford to buy more/heavier ones or get a set of barbells and stuff. But I do like to do whatever I can with the weights I do have.

engineman312

I would love to do more weight lifting but I don't really have the option (can't afford a gym...plus small town so not really any gyms around). I do have a small set of dumbbells that I like to use. They're only up to 8 lbs though. I can't really afford to buy more/heavier ones or get a set of barbells and stuff. But I do like to do whatever I can with the weights I do have.

you can do a body weight routine of lunges, push ups, squats, and planks.

emancipateurself

I'm far from my goal and I lift 2x a week right now...it's crazy I'm curling 20's in both hands now and lifting 35 bars above my head and building super muscle under my fat...lol......but there's a lot of girls lifting at my gym (we have a women's section) I'm not confident enough to go in the guy's section yet but it's exciting to see women who want to be strong instead of skinny

ejohndrow

Just starting....4kg dumbells lol! I'm so weak.

It doesn't matter what you do compared to others, it's what you do for yourself.
I'm almost always surrounded by guys who are into heavy lifting, I'm barely lifting more than the bar when it comes to bench press, yet I had a Marine 0-4 come up to me and tell me he's seen a lot of improvement in me over the past few months and told me to keep up the good work. Basically, every little bit counts and we're all different.

KayteeBear

I would love to do more weight lifting but I don't really have the option (can't afford a gym...plus small town so not really any gyms around). I do have a small set of dumbbells that I like to use. They're only up to 8 lbs though. I can't really afford to buy more/heavier ones or get a set of barbells and stuff. But I do like to do whatever I can with the weights I do have.

you can do a body weight routine of lunges, push ups, squats, and planks.

I already do a lot of that.

agthorn

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

LorinaLynn

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

True. Saying, "I don't want to lift because I don't want to be bulky," is like saying, "I don't want to eat less food because I don't want to look like Kate Moss." Looking very muscular or very thin both require a LOT of effort to achieve and maintain. It doesn't just happen.

Sidesteal

/applause


(srs)

dad106

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

Most people assume that due to the media, that if you lift weights then you will become the women version of the incredible hulk.
The media tells us that skinny and soft is pretty.. and anything else is ugly. Sad but very true.

I've been lifting weights from January, and been serious about it since about September. I have yet to get bulky.. do I see muscles flex when I move my arms? Yes.. and I like it!

kdb247

I love lifting, I love my muscles and I love how they feel.

scarletleavy

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

True. Saying, "I don't want to lift because I don't want to be bulky," is like saying, "I don't want to eat less food because I don't want to look like Kate Moss." Looking very muscular or very thin both require a LOT of effort to achieve and maintain. It doesn't just happen.

You speak the truth. From all the fear-mongering about getting bulky, you'd think it would be as easy as lifting up a 3 lb pink dumbbell and suddenly you'd be the Incredible Hulk.

engineman312

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

True. Saying, "I don't want to lift because I don't want to be bulky," is like saying, "I don't want to eat less food because I don't want to look like Kate Moss." Looking very muscular or very thin both require a LOT of effort to achieve and maintain. It doesn't just happen.

You speak the truth. From all the fear-mongering about getting bulky, you'd think it would be as easy as lifting up a 3 lb pink dumbbell and suddenly you'd be the Incredible Hulk.

shhhhhhhh! we don't talk about 3lb pink dumbbells!!

scarletleavy

DONT WANT TO BULK UP X

I seriously wonder, where have we women all gotten this fear of being "bulky"? Outside of professionals - how many bulky women (not overweight, or heavy-framed) in real life have you ever actually seen? I honestly can't think of any.

True. Saying, "I don't want to lift because I don't want to be bulky," is like saying, "I don't want to eat less food because I don't want to look like Kate Moss." Looking very muscular or very thin both require a LOT of effort to achieve and maintain. It doesn't just happen.

You speak the truth. From all the fear-mongering about getting bulky, you'd think it would be as easy as lifting up a 3 lb pink dumbbell and suddenly you'd be the Incredible Hulk.

shhhhhhhh! we don't talk about 3lb pink dumbbells!!

Haha my bad. Should I paint my big heavy weight plates pink?

BeautyFromPain

yayayayy!

4thehardman

Do any of you ladies who lift have any suggestions for strength training at home. I'm doing the 30DS at the moment with 5lb weights but other than lifting stuff up and putting it down again (I do it with my kids, the triplets each weigh 33lbs) how can I lift heavy at home? I do not have the room for any more gear until we move house. I'd really appreciate suggestions even if it is simple as bench press a 3 year old!

4thehardman

Do any of you ladies who lift have any suggestions for strength training at home. I'm doing the 30DS at the moment with 5lb weights but other than lifting stuff up and putting it down again (I do it with my kids, the triplets each weigh 33lbs) how can I lift heavy at home? I do not have the room for any more gear until we move house. I'd really appreciate suggestions even if it is simple as bench press a 3 year old!

Also, my dumbells are 5lbs (still sissy but not pink and I use them for jumping jacks etc) I can't do that workout with anything heavier yet but I'd really appreciate your help. I'm 237lbs so any exercises that use my own body weight would be good too.

snookumss

Just started this week! I must say though, not many woman lift at my gym (I have seen MAYBE the same 2 or 3 woman at that section of the gym) and the guys are pretty cocky. They kinda look at you snidely. I just keep telling myself that I have to do it if I want to reach my goals and that I shouldn't let ANYONE stand in my way.

I am proud of you Girly I always had my hand held and have lifted with those scary guys, it kinda gave me the acceptance you have to work to earn. Respect for you "D

Strength training is the answer, its the best way to be healthy! It doesn't mean lifting weights particularly, it means ANYTHING related to increasing your muscle capacity. Good job to everybody using those beautifully capable muscles of yours!

snookumss

Do any of you ladies who lift have any suggestions for strength training at home. I'm doing the 30DS at the moment with 5lb weights but other than lifting stuff up and putting it down again (I do it with my kids, the triplets each weigh 33lbs) how can I lift heavy at home? I do not have the room for any more gear until we move house. I'd really appreciate suggestions even if it is simple as bench press a 3 year old!

Do you have pets? Including large pet food bags? Or potatos? Rice? Also, you can focus on doing more plyometric exercises to help increase power and speed (both will make a huge difference in actual strength).

Rae6503

Do any of you ladies who lift have any suggestions for strength training at home. I'm doing the 30DS at the moment with 5lb weights but other than lifting stuff up and putting it down again (I do it with my kids, the triplets each weigh 33lbs) how can I lift heavy at home? I do not have the room for any more gear until we move house. I'd really appreciate suggestions even if it is simple as bench press a 3 year old!

Also, my dumbells are 5lbs (still sissy but not pink and I use them for jumping jacks etc) I can't do that workout with anything heavier yet but I'd really appreciate your help. I'm 237lbs so any exercises that use my own body weight would be good too.

Squats and lunges can be done with body weight, as you get better at them, `add a kid to your back.

agthorn

Do any of you ladies who lift have any suggestions for strength training at home. I'm doing the 30DS at the moment with 5lb weights but other than lifting stuff up and putting it down again (I do it with my kids, the triplets each weigh 33lbs) how can I lift heavy at home? I do not have the room for any more gear until we move house. I'd really appreciate suggestions even if it is simple as bench press a 3 year old!

Body-weight exercises! Nerd Fitness has a great beginner bodyweight exercise routine at http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/ - all you need is a gallon jug of water/milk/other liquid (1gallon = 8lbs).

4thehardman

Thank you for your responses. I don't have a pet but there are a few spare kids lying around the house. It might help them feel included in Mommy's new routine too. I do lunges etc with the biggest loser workout but I could perhaps incorporate extra ones into my day.