7 Reasons why women should lift heavy

jessica182517
jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been looking into lifting a lot latley, i really want to start but all i have right now are some adjustable dumbbells so i have been using those a little bit and doing RI30. But i was searching around on google and came across this article. I know there is A LOT of talk about why lifting is good for you and so many women who are worried they are going to "bulk up" (in thier own definition of what bulky is) but this acticle is really good and if you are not sure about lifting or if you already are actually every woman should read this :) Hope you enjoy and i hope it helps some of you that arent too sure if lifting is for you or not..and i hope this isnt braking any rules posting this article, i have seen a few posted so i think it should be ok :)

Heres the link take a look :)
http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com/2012/12/03/7-reasons-women-should-lift-heavy-weights/#7-reasons-women-should-lift-heavy-weights-10
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Replies

  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.
  • jessica182517
    jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.
    True!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    this is a pretty damn good reason for me :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ja1cfDlaw
  • OtiWanKenobi
    OtiWanKenobi Posts: 340 Member
    This is great! Thanks for posting. I'm definitely going to share this with my friends!
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."
  • jessica182517
    jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."

    Yea, i must have kinda skimmed over that part lol really only 25lbs?
  • chels0722
    chels0722 Posts: 465 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."

    No kidding
  • sheleen302
    sheleen302 Posts: 266 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."
    Definitely, file him down!
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    I agree with the premise of the rest of the stuff on there, but I am so unbelievably sick of the idea that "lifting heavy" for women means doing curls with pastel dumbbells. The dude owns a gym. How can he fail to mention powerlifting and O-lifting? Surely he knows that women (seriously hot women) do that too.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Oh, well I guess I already do lift heavy, when I lift, which isn't often.
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    For real! I can do about 12-15 reps with 25 lbs. That's not lifting heavy.

    Edited to Clarify: I was referring to doing bicep curls with 25lbs
  • SweetPea482
    SweetPea482 Posts: 155 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."
    Definitely, file him down!

    OMG this was as far as i went too! WTF... dude. c'mon. consult a chick before you write about 'ideal weights'... moron.
  • thecakelocker
    thecakelocker Posts: 407 Member
    After seven months of lifting progressively heavier pink weights I finally made it to the truly heavy 8lb range. I'm going to the store to buy a full gallon of milk now and I'm confident that I'll be able to pick it up all by myself. Will update with my NSV when I return.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    Maybe that isn't what he was suggesting . Perhaps it's just that progressing beyond that doesn't provide any additional health benefits, though it might provide bragging rights or personal satisifaction.
  • MandaJean83
    MandaJean83 Posts: 675 Member
    After seven months of lifting progressively heavier pink weights I finally made it to the truly heavy 8lb range. I'm going to the store to buy a full gallon of milk now and I'm confident that I'll be able to pick it up all by myself. Will update with my NSV when I return.

    LMAO. Best of luck. Sounds like you'll need it. A gallon is SUPER heavy...
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I agree with the premise of the rest of the stuff on there, but I am so unbelievably sick of the idea that "lifting heavy" for women means doing curls with pastel dumbbells. The dude owns a gym. How can he fail to mention powerlifting and O-lifting? Surely he knows that women (seriously hot women) do that too.

    Yeah, he owns a gym and he wants women to come in. If you haven't noticed, telling women to get under a 45-lb bar and squat with it doesn't usually go over well.
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    "Lifting heavy weights—about 8-15 pounds for women is fine and up to 25 is ideal—is the most efficient and effective way to build muscle mass," says Joey Gonzalez, owner of Barry's Bootcamp New York.

    I'm going to file Joey Gonzales under "People who don't have a clue."
    Definitely, file him down!

    I wonder what he would think when I took my 25 lb dumbell and easily smacked him across his face with it??
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    Maybe that isn't what he was suggesting . Perhaps it's just that progressing beyond that doesn't provide any additional health benefits, though it might provide bragging rights or personal satisifaction.

    Actually there are a lot of health benefits to lifting heavy example women that lift are less likely to have osteoporosis later in life. There are a lot more too :) healthier joints and well looking hot as hell :)
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    But isn't a gallon of milk heavier than water?
    * * *

    Totally agree--"heavy" lifting benefits both men and women alike. Thanks!
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    After seven months of lifting progressively heavier pink weights I finally made it to the truly heavy 8lb range. I'm going to the store to buy a full gallon of milk now and I'm confident that I'll be able to pick it up all by myself. Will update with my NSV when I return.

    But if you lift that gallon of milk, you'll instantly become bulky! DON'T DO IT!!!
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    After seven months of lifting progressively heavier pink weights I finally made it to the truly heavy 8lb range. I'm going to the store to buy a full gallon of milk now and I'm confident that I'll be able to pick it up all by myself. Will update with my NSV when I return.

    But if you lift that gallon of milk, you'll instantly become bulky! DON'T DO IT!!!

    So the old GOMAD (gallon of milk a day) key to bulking meant LIFTING a gallon a day, not drinking....
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    After seven months of lifting progressively heavier pink weights I finally made it to the truly heavy 8lb range. I'm going to the store to buy a full gallon of milk now and I'm confident that I'll be able to pick it up all by myself. Will update with my NSV when I return.

    But if you lift that gallon of milk, you'll instantly become bulky! DON'T DO IT!!!

    lol
  • jlcarcajc4
    jlcarcajc4 Posts: 71 Member
    I'm just starting out& can only lift 15 pd dumbbells. Except lateral raises I can only do 7 pd dumbbells(my 3&4pd dumbbells together). Is that not enough? Most of the exercises I have to really push to complete the 2nd set of reps.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    Maybe that isn't what he was suggesting . Perhaps it's just that progressing beyond that doesn't provide any additional health benefits, though it might provide bragging rights or personal satisifaction.

    Actually there are a lot of health benefits to lifting heavy example women that lift are less likely to have osteoporosis later in life. There are a lot more too :) healthier joints and well looking hot as hell :)

    But my point was - is there evidence that one must lift more than 25 lbs to receive these benefits?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    Maybe that isn't what he was suggesting . Perhaps it's just that progressing beyond that doesn't provide any additional health benefits, though it might provide bragging rights or personal satisifaction.

    Actually there are a lot of health benefits to lifting heavy example women that lift are less likely to have osteoporosis later in life. There are a lot more too :) healthier joints and well looking hot as hell :)

    But my point was - is there evidence that one must lift more than 25 lbs to receive these benefits?

    Yes. The evidence points to the fact that you must lift close to the point of failure, preferably in a relatively small number of reps, for maximum gains in strength, bone mass, and muscle mass.

    Most women would have to do dozens and dozens of squats to reach exhaustion using 25-lb weights.
  • jessica182517
    jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
    http://rawfitness.blogspot.com/2007/01/women-lift-heavy.html

    this one might be a little better...sorry i was looking at the information in general mostly towards the women who dont lift yet to get them started, i didnt really look at the 25lbs being the most thats just rediclous! lol
  • Bssh
    Bssh Posts: 123
    I'm just starting out& can only lift 15 pd dumbbells. Except lateral raises I can only do 7 pd dumbbells(my 3&4pd dumbbells together). Is that not enough? Most of the exercises I have to really push to complete the 2nd set of reps.

    15 lb weights are fine but just remember that over time you'll be lifting progressively heavier. Make that your goal - to increase weights gradually to make each workout challenging.

    Reduce your reps and lift close to failure. I bet you'll find you can go heavier doing that. I do 2 sets of 8-10 reps. The last few reps on the last set are hard.

    Lifting heavy is relative. Lifting progressively heavy (relative to your capabilities) is what counts.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Nice to see some positive comments on weight lifting for women, though I am somewhat disappointed that they set a remarkably low end cap of 25lbs, like that is all a woman should do or strive for.

    Maybe that isn't what he was suggesting . Perhaps it's just that progressing beyond that doesn't provide any additional health benefits, though it might provide bragging rights or personal satisifaction.

    Actually there are a lot of health benefits to lifting heavy example women that lift are less likely to have osteoporosis later in life. There are a lot more too :) healthier joints and well looking hot as hell :)

    But my point was - is there evidence that one must lift more than 25 lbs to receive these benefits?

    Yes. The evidence points to the fact that you must lift close to the point of failure, preferably in a relatively small number of reps, for maximum gains in strength, bone mass, and muscle mass.

    Most women would have to do dozens and dozens of squats to reach exhaustion using 25-lb weights.

    I'm a little confused by this. Is there or is there not evidence that one much go beyond 25 lbs. Yes, at some point failure would require more reps, but is there evidence that more reps won't work just as well as long as it's to failure?

    And is there really evidence that one must work to failure to prevent bone loss or joint damage?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I'm a little confused by this. Is there or is there not evidence that one much go beyond 25 lbs.

    Yes there is. Now let's move on.
  • amy32lynn
    amy32lynn Posts: 157 Member
    I'm just starting out& can only lift 15 pd dumbbells. Except lateral raises I can only do 7 pd dumbbells(my 3&4pd dumbbells together). Is that not enough? Most of the exercises I have to really push to complete the 2nd set of reps.
    me too I lift 20 pd dumbbells and thought I was lifting heavy I guess I was wrong!!!!!!!!!

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