If low weights/high reps is pointless...

What about P90X? Don't they claim you get ripped, but don't use heavy weights. It's been proven.

p.s. to one person above, Jillian never said "you'd get ripped in 30 days." She claims you will lose up to 20 lbs and shred fat in 30 days."

P90x uses a ton of body weight exercises. Which is a lot heavier weight than most people are using in the gym. And all of these programs have some sort of claim that they will do something in a period of time and the reality is that of you do any kind of workout and eat relatively well over the same period of time you will also see results.

I can't say anything about Jillian's programs as I have not done them but fairly certain there is also some form of body weight work.

Getting ripped is a factor of diet.

"I don't know if low weights to exhaustion has any effect on the connective tissues and bones. In order to be able to lift more, you pretty much have to improve those, too.

Others have mentioned, for a woman to get "muscular" takes a lot more effort than you'd think. Strength training isn't going to make you look like you go to the gym"

Response:
Sometimes I think that people who don't lift, say things based on what they hear, but without any real experience on the topic.

For example, you say "Strength Training isn't going to make you look like you go to the gym"

What does that mean exactly? Isn't the point of going to the gym, to look like you go? Or to rephrase, we go to the gym to look like we're are in shape. That's the point. Why would we strength train to look like we stay home and eat donuts??

In addition to the irony of your statement, it's also completely false. As a female that trains very heavy I'm happy that my body shows the results of my training. I lift purely for strength gains (because I get bored and challenge myself to move up) but the physical results naturally occur with that, as long as you don't mask it with tons of calories. So although I'm really strong...I've developed a slimmer stronger physique too. I eat what I like on weekends, and try to eat a lot of protein during the week, and watch my calories. This way, I'm able to stay slim, but stay strong enough to keep making strength gains.

I just want to note, that I'm a natural lifter. I do not take steroids and I never would. But my point is that a high majority of the women that you'll see in fitness magazines are taking substances which can make them look "too big or mannish." Actually even a lot of the bikini models take substances, but you may only notice it when you get closer (you can see it in their facial features). I'm saying this because although I do have muscles, and I do think I look like I go to gym, I feel that the appearance is "athletic" but NOT "manly"----If you've ever seen Athleta magazine (by the GAP)....the girls in there are sort of how I'd describe my look.

I say all this, because I think so many women worry about bulk. It's so crazy. Just lift heavy and enjoy the results (and don't eat too many Twinkies....that will hide all of your good results under blubber)

My workouts are generally very heavy weight for 6 to 10 reps. This is the perfect mix for gaining both strength and muscle. If I can do more than 10....I'm doing too light a weight. (For me) Rarely, but every so often, I'll do a burn set...(drop the weight and bang out 12-25 reps till I burn or fail)....though I will say that even my dropped weight is often a weight most women won't try to lift even once. It's still substantial, allowing me to achieve a burn eventually.

And back to the original poster. Yeah, getting muscular takes time, but less time than lifting light. It's about effort more than time. I'd rather pick up a 50lb dumbbell and lift it 6-10 times and exert the energy....than pick up a 5 lb dumbbell and flail it around for a gazillion times while the clock ticks and I get no burn unless I do it 100 times. This is not an offense to a beginner...we all start somewhere. It's meant for the woman who is afraid to push themselves a little...either because they just don't want to work, or due to unrealistic fears..

Just my two cents on the topic. I know that not everyone has the same body goals, and some women like a softer look. I'm simply addressing a lot of bad information, and unfounded fears. And to wrap up my ramblings by saying "Weight's are your friend, not your enemy."