Shorter Females who lift weight and don't feel bulky

happy_travels

Hi all!

So I am beginning to take weight lifting more seriously. I have avoided it because I am short and I usually do not like what happens in the short term to my body when I lift. I realize at this point that to make more progress I need a consistent resistance training routine. I do LOVE the feeling of strength that comes with this training. Up until now I have been doing mostly old school floor work for strength. I am looking for other shorties that strength train and like the results that they got. I teach cardio dance classes for a living so I do not want an overly muscular look to take away from my dancing, do you know what I mean? I want the focus on the dance and not my muscles, I hope this makes sense.

I am 5ft, btw.

Also, if you found a form of resistence that you enjoy, even if it is not traditional weight lifting, please share that too!

Thanks ladies!

happy_travels

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JenMc14

You are not going to get bulky. It's not as easy as just lifting weights, especially for women. You (typically) have to eat at a surplus, you have to train hard, and in the case of most serious bodybuilding women, "supplement", if you know what I mean. Do big, compound lifts. If you want strength, go around 5 reps. You'll still gain size, a bit, if you're new or if you're eating at a surplus, but it's not like you're going to get huge.

nagniho

I am barely 5" on a good day:laugh: and have been lifting heavy for a while with no "bulk"! For women it is VERY difficult to put on muscle weight because we lack the high amt's of testosterone to enable muscle growth. Secondly bulk can never happen if you are eating at a deficit as again muscle growth needs added caloric intake.

If anything, I have become tighter and smaller by doing heavy lifts while cutting down on cardio.

I do Strong Lifts 5x5 and some other variations but all in the 8rep range.

jzammetti

Check out the New Rules for Lifting for Women book - it is awesome and includes a nutrition plan and 6 months of progressively heavier weight training. You will not bulk up unless you are a genetic outlier.

neandermagnon

I'm short and I lift weights and I don't think I'm bulky.

megmay2591

Check out the New Rules for Lifting for Women book - it is awesome and includes a nutrition plan and 6 months of progressively heavier weight training. You will not bulk up unless you are a genetic outlier.

^^This!!!!! I

MightyDomo

Check out the New Rules for Lifting for Women book - it is awesome and includes a nutrition plan and 6 months of progressively heavier weight training. You will not bulk up unless you are a genetic outlier.

^^This!!!!! I

I just bought this book! I am going back to lifting after 9 years, when I used to lift I definitely was not bulky at all.

00sarah

No way will you get bulky. I also like Cassey Ho's Pilates (free on YouTube) which involves using your own bodyweight for resistance

Joreanasaurous

I am about 4' 11" and a half. For strength I both lift and then do TRX. No bulk, but my balance has improved considerably as has my strength, esp in my shoulders, back and core.

JcSans

Shorty here at 5'1" and I have been lifting for about 4 months now. No bulk here! In fact I am losing inches and gaining strength.

bokodasu

I'm almost 5'4", and I *am* trying to get to what you'd probably call bulky, and it's really, really, hard. Really. As long as you don't make it your full-time job, it won't happen.

What probably will happen is that in the short term, your muscles are going to swell up a bit and they're going to poof out whatever fat you have and you'll go "ew, bulk" but just stick with it and everything will calm down and the fat will thin out and then you'll go "ooo, tone!"

Barbellerella

<<<< 5'0", this chick deadlifts 205# and squats 185#.. & I have a killer booty to prove it..

My measurements have down NOTHING but go down in the last year. You are not gonna get bulky girls!!!!

mmapags

<<<< 5'0", this chick deadlifts 205# and squats 185#.. & I have a killer booty to prove it..

My measurements have down NOTHING but go down in the last year. You are not gonna get bulky girls!!!!

We are friends and I've watched her progress. Everything she said is true but don't believe me. Take a look at her profle pics!

MoreBean13

I'm 5'3" and I lift like a badass. Not bulky.

Gallowmere1984

I'll just leave this here...and occasionally come back to drool over it:

happy_travels

You are not going to get bulky. It's not as easy as just lifting weights, especially for women. You (typically) have to eat at a surplus, you have to train hard, and in the case of most serious bodybuilding women, "supplement", if you know what I mean. Do big, compound lifts. If you want strength, go around 5 reps. You'll still gain size, a bit, if you're new or if you're eating at a surplus, but it's not like you're going to get huge.

You know it could be that I am usually eating at matainence that I don't like what happens. I am dealing with the newbie "pump" at the moment. My legs are changing shape and my pants feel tight but i have to commit to a deficit so that it all leans down.

I will research the rep ranges, thank you for the heads up. So short heavy lifting for density?

happy_travels

I am barely 5" on a good day:laugh: and have been lifting heavy for a while with no "bulk"! For women it is VERY difficult to put on muscle weight because we lack the high amt's of testosterone to enable muscle growth. Secondly bulk can never happen if you are eating at a deficit as again muscle growth needs added caloric intake.

If anything, I have become tighter and smaller by doing heavy lifts while cutting down on cardio.

I do Strong Lifts 5x5 and some other variations but all in the 8rep range.

Again, I will commit to a deficit this time!

giveMEbeauty

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