What does lifting "heavy" mean to women?

I deadlift and squat 185lbs, press 50lb barbell, 20-25lb dumbbells. I rarely ever curl...last time I did I think I used 15lb dumbbells.

Interesting...you are the 2nd person to say you don't curl. Any particular reason why? I love some bicep curls. Are there other exercises you prefer?

And it is refreshing to see you deadlift and squat the same weight. I wasn't sure that was how it should be! I feel like they are completely different things, so how am I doing the same weight. Deadlifting should be way more than squatting in my eyes.

How long did it take to get that high squatting?

I don't curl because I don't see the need; my biceps get enough work from the other compound lifts I do. I may throw in a few now and then but they're definitely not a regular thing. As for how long it took me to get those squat numbers....too damn long is all I'll say! I've had a few injuries and setbacks so I haven't been very consistent in my progression. I've had to start over several times after taking lifting hiatuses. I'm making a concerted effort to lift heavier now so I expect that number to go up shortly. I'm optimistic.

It's interesting that you think deadlifting should be more than squatting because I always thought the opposite, probably because that has been my experience. My squat progression has been relatively slow compared to my deadlifts, and that's despite two lower back injuries.

"Heavy" isn't a number.
For me, it's fatigue by the 5th or 6th rep.

this is helpful... thank you!

Reviewing this.. Lifting heavy has no real definition? It's just what is heavy for you?? I don't think I am lifting anywhere near heavy for me...

if I understand it right (what i've read and what i've seen online) You lift as much as you can for 3-5 reps and do 3-5 sets?

Today i used the barbell and did the following
Squats - with 20lbs worth of weights 5x5
Bench press- with 20lbs worth of weights 5x5
Bent over row with 30lbs worth of weights 5x5
Barbell shrugs with 40lbs worth of weights 3x8
Tricep extension - 35lbs overhead 3x8
Straight bar curls - no weight added just the bar 3x8
Hyperextension with 10lb plate - 2x10
Cable crunches - 90lbs - 3x10

The only ones that felt heavy were the curls, the tricep extension and the bench press. The crunches were easy once I got into the postion, it was hard to pull that weight down initally. But once I was on the ground it was easy to crunch.

So do I just keep increasing weight until it's difficult to do?

I also have no idea how much the bar weight or if that is record or not.. When people ask how much I lift do I include the bar weight in my answer?

Reviewing this.. Lifting heavy has no real definition? It's just what is heavy for you?? I don't think I am lifting anywhere near heavy for me...

if I understand it right (what i've read and what i've seen online) You lift as much as you can for 3-5 reps and do 3-5 sets?

Today i used the barbell and did the following
Squats - with 20lbs worth of weights 5x5
Bench press- with 20lbs worth of weights 5x5
Bent over row with 30lbs worth of weights 5x5
Barbell shrugs with 40lbs worth of weights 3x8
Tricep extension - 35lbs overhead 3x8
Straight bar curls - no weight added just the bar 3x8
Hyperextension with 10lb plate - 2x10
Cable crunches - 90lbs - 3x10

The only ones that felt heavy were the curls, the tricep extension and the bench press. The crunches were easy once I got into the postion, it was hard to pull that weight down initally. But once I was on the ground it was easy to crunch.

So do I just keep increasing weight until it's difficult to do?

I also have no idea how much the bar weight or if that is record or not.. When people ask how much I lift do I include the bar weight in my answer?

1-5 reps build strength
6-12 build mass
12+ endurance

When doing 5 reps a set or 8 a set whatever, you should be struggling with those last few reps in most programs.

There are programs that are made for different things. Many posters on MFP start with a 5x5 like stronglifts to build strength. Some programs will have a mix of strength and hypertrophy reps.

My suggestion is get a program if you are really wanting to lift and make gains (either mass or strength). You do include the bar weight in your answer. A 7' olympic barbell is around 45 lbs.

I agree - "heavy lifting" is whatever fatigues you in ~5 reps. If you want numbers, I've only been doing it for 3 weeks or so, but my numbers are (all 5x5):
Deadlift - 115lbs
Squats and Lunges - 75lbs (I'm pretty heavy, so I'm lifting myself here too )
Push press - 65lbs
Bench press - 80lbs

"Heavy" to me is heavy enough for me to fail in 8-12 reps. The weight itself is subjective...different for every person. What's heavy to me may be light to the next person.

As everyone has already said "heavy" is relative.

I find a good way to measure is % of your 1RM of each lift: e.g. 5x5 at 75% is "heavy"; 5x3 and 85-90% is also friggin' heavy.

current stats @ 130# BW:
BP - 115#
OHP - 95#
DL - 275#
Squat - 185#

someone upthread said they don't like to brag. shoot, it's the only thing i'm halfway good at, so i'll play.

my first meet was last weekend. squat 209 (plenty left, but squat is still under construction), bench 132 and deadlift 303.

Nice work! As a powerlifter myself, I think those are some very impressive numbers.

on leg press I did 5 sets of 12 at 270 lbs. I feel like I could do more though