Most badass/alpha exercise for a woman to perform?

What is the most badass exercise that would make you take notice and "mire" (admire) in the gym if you saw a woman perform it?

Which one of these is the most "badass"?

Unassisted pull ups, unassisted tricep dips, heavy deadlifts, heavy barbell squat?

Right now I have to say I feel the most badass when doing tricep dips cause I don't see any other women doing them unassisted in the gym. I would eventually want to be able to do weighted dips AND pull ups; I think the entire gym would probably stare in amazement if I did that since again I have never seen any females doing them unassisted let alone with weight.

I can deadlift 1.5x my bw but don't find that impressive to be honest (once I hit 225lbs then I will find that impressive).

Right now I think weighted dips and pull ups would be the most "badass"....

What exercise do you think is the most badass that would make you look twice in admiration if you saw a woman perform in the gym?
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Replies

  • iceqieen
    iceqieen Posts: 862 Member
    Whatever s/he is doing that is pushing her/him to the limit and really doing it well.

    While there are certain lifts I like doing more than others I will admire another person doing all kinds of lifts when done properly and when its obviously pushing the person (doesnt really matter how much weight there is on the person or the bar).

    ( I do go to a gym where the girls are doing pullups and weighted dips etc.. so plenty of women to admire.. but I also admire the older, larger woman who comes in and uses some of the machines instead of a bar, because she is obviously pushing herself)
  • Italia2229
    Italia2229 Posts: 119 Member
    Whatever s/he is doing that is pushing her/him to the limit and really doing it well.

    While there are certain lifts I like doing more than others I will admire another person doing all kinds of lifts when done properly and when its obviously pushing the person (doesnt really matter how much weight there is on the person or the bar).

    ( I do go to a gym where the girls are doing pullups and weighted dips etc.. so plenty of women to admire.. but I also admire the older, larger woman who comes in and uses some of the machines instead of a bar, because she is obviously pushing herself)

    ^^^ agreed
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    nothing makes me stop in my tracks and 'mire like seeing a girl do some pull ups.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Pull ups definitely.

    But cleans, snatches etc with a barbell and a plate or two or a decent sized DB. I know it's relative but 50 snatches with a 2lb DB won't cut it. That would suggest she saw an article on Shape on spot burning back and shoulder fat. :laugh:
  • This content has been removed.
  • 1horseygirl1
    1horseygirl1 Posts: 98 Member
    I really admire the 82 year old lady I met at the gym a month ago. She comes in every day and works out to the best of her ability.
    I also admire the mother and daughter team who would be at least 150kg each who come in most days and work out. The mum told me that they used to have to take the elevator to the gym floor but now can do the stairs.

    To be honest they are the women who make me stop and smile, not because they are amazing physical specimens but because they are overcoming some major barriers and stereotypes just by turning up.

    I think they are pretty badass :)
  • EnviousDan
    EnviousDan Posts: 107 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.
  • unassisted pullups for the win! close second dips.

    being able to handle your own body weight with ease is an amazing feat, and i would admire that if i saw anyone doing it!

    that is a goal of mine, and i think it would enhance the feel/joy of the world around us. we can control our own weight. after all we work for peace/harmony
  • A heavy deadlift. Because the exercise itself intimidates me.
  • Noor13
    Noor13 Posts: 964 Member

    To be honest they are the women who make me stop and smile, not because they are amazing physical specimens but because they are overcoming some major barriers and stereotypes just by turning up.

    I think they are pretty badass :)

    True that!
  • Blitzer32
    Blitzer32 Posts: 9 Member
    Pull ups or press ups. I can't do either, yet. If I saw another woman doing them I would stare in awe.
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    Very little actually.

    I couldn't give two hoots what other people do in the gym and am usually too busy to do my own thing than to "stare in amazement" at some "bad *kitten* alpha" woman.

    If anything impresses me is when I'm out running and a lady cruises past me at sub 8-min miling. That makes me smile.
  • jantura
    jantura Posts: 14 Member
    1Horseygirl1 - AMEN!!!!!!!!! Anyone who makes an effort, no matter how great or small, receives my admiration.
  • unassisted pull-ups without a doubt.
    this is a dream of mine to be able to do that. Never have been able to even when I was a skinny little kid on the playground!
    My two main "alpha" female goals are to be able to do full, perfect form push-ups and at least ONE unassisted pull-up in the next year
  • Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    Barbell hip thrusts are far superior for the glutes than squats. Yes; I do BB squats btw... Only barbell squats for me; no smith ever EVER EVER. And with no pad either :)

    Bret Contreras conducted EMG research and a bb hip thrust was shown to activate glutes more than any bb squat or deadlift. I bb hip thrust 195 lbs now for 5 reps and aiming for 225 lbs for 10 reps. And yes, I do bb squat and deadlift as well.

    In order, the hip extension exercises with the highest glute activation are the kneeling squat (67%), deadlift (55%), sumo deadlift (52%) and Zercher squat (45%).

    • In order, the hip hyperextension exercises with the highest glute activation are the single leg bent leg reverse hyper (122%), hip thrust (119%), pendulum quadruped hip extension (112%), bent leg reverse hyper (111%).

    Source : http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dispelling_the_glute_myth

    And what makes you think I read garbage fitness mags? I only do compound lifts and know more about exercises than idiot male trainers at my gym. One never even heard of low bar and high bar squats and never heard of SS. I was going to ask him if he even lifted...

    Don't assume that women't don't know anything. I know more than you since I know the hip thrusts activate your glutes more than squats. Science is behind me. Google Bret Contreras and hip thrusts if you don't believe me. Maybe you are the one that needs to do more research before saying that back squats are #1 for glutes? They are one of the top lifts for sure for glutes but not #1. Trust me, I know my stuff.
  • Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    Also, what makes you think I don't already KNOW how to do them properly? Maybe I already CAN. What makes you think I am unable to do them? Do you think I am an idiot who lifts 2 lbs pink dumbells?

    Here is more knowledge for you about hip thrusts being superior to squats ... From Bret's studies.

    The Winners

    Based on this experiment, here are the top three exercises in terms of mean and peak activity for each muscle part:

    Glute Medius

    Mean: Quadruped Hip Circle, Band Standing External Rotation, Barbell Hip Thrust

    Peak: Quadruped Hip Circle, Quadruped Band Donkey Kick, Quadruped Hip Extension

    Upper Glute Maximus

    Mean: Barbell Hip Thrust, Band Skorcher Hip Thrust, Quadruped Hip Circle

    Peak: Quadruped Hip Extension, Barbell Hip Thrust, Bird Dog

    Mid Glute Maximus

    Mean: Band Standing Hip External Rotation, Band Skorcher Hip Thrust, Barbell Hip Thrust

    Peak: Band Standing Hip External Rotation, Band Skorcher Hip Thrust, Cable Standing Hip External Rotation

    Lower Glute Maximus

    Mean: Deadlift, Band Hip Thrust, Band Standing Hip External Rotation

    Peak: Single Leg Hip Thrust, Shoulder Elevated Single Leg Hip Thrust, Deadlift

    As you can see, the results were pretty shocking. My findings indicate that the glutes show varying levels of activation in the different regions of the muscles depending on the exercise performed. "


    Btw, he is one of the most respected fitness coaches and getting his PhD in Sports Science.

    Just saying; sounds like maybe you don't know it all like you think...
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    LOL!! One of the fitness monitors at the gym says " it excites me to see women squatting with proper form". He also says it impresses him that I can squat 150lbs.
  • EnviousDan
    EnviousDan Posts: 107 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    Barbell hip thrusts are far superior for the glutes than squats. Yes; I do BB squats btw... Only barbell squats for me; no smith ever EVER EVER. And with no pad either :)

    Bret Contreras conducted EMG research and a bb hip thrust was shown to activate glutes more than any bb squat or deadlift. I bb hip thrust 195 lbs now for 5 reps and aiming for 225 lbs for 10 reps. And yes, I do bb squat and deadlift as well.

    In order, the hip extension exercises with the highest glute activation are the kneeling squat (67%), deadlift (55%), sumo deadlift (52%) and Zercher squat (45%).

    • In order, the hip hyperextension exercises with the highest glute activation are the single leg bent leg reverse hyper (122%), hip thrust (119%), pendulum quadruped hip extension (112%), bent leg reverse hyper (111%).

    Source : http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dispelling_the_glute_myth

    And what makes you think I read garbage fitness mags? I only do compound lifts and know more about exercises than idiot male trainers at my gym. One never even heard of low bar and high bar squats and never heard of SS. I was going to ask him if he even lifted...

    Don't assume that women't don't know anything. I know more than you since I know the hip thrusts activate your glutes more than squats. Science is behind me. Google Bret Contreras and hip thrusts if you don't believe me. Maybe you are the one that needs to do more research before saying that back squats are #1 for glutes? They are one of the top lifts for sure for glutes but not #1. Trust me, I know my stuff.

    Jesus Christ, you asked a question and I answered. Why do you go all aggressive?
  • boehle
    boehle Posts: 5,062 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    haha
    Love this!
    I am doing a squat challenge this month to get a rounder and fitter booty!
  • NoeHead
    NoeHead Posts: 516 Member
    To be honest they are the women who make me stop and smile, not because they are amazing physical specimens but because they are overcoming some major barriers and stereotypes just by turning up.

    I think they are pretty badass :)

    :flowerforyou: :happy:

    I sometimes still feel uncomfortable going to the gym because most are military people and when i do things like squats, clean and presses, deadlifts, etc i can see my HUGE belly in the mirror. I know this isn't directed towards me but it gives me hope that maybe i don't look like the fat idiot at the gym
  • NoeHead
    NoeHead Posts: 516 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    LOL!! One of the fitness monitors at the gym says " it excites me to see women squatting with proper form". He also says it impresses him that I can squat 150lbs.

    That IS very impressive isn't it? i mean don't mind me i literally can only squat 75 for now but wow...serves as great inspiration for me!

    I was nervous squatting correctly simply because I don't want to get hurt...I had an instructor watch and when I got the ok for squats and deadlifts i added when i thought i was ready! so one day maybe i can be like yoU!
  • Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    Barbell hip thrusts are far superior for the glutes than squats. Yes; I do BB squats btw... Only barbell squats for me; no smith ever EVER EVER. And with no pad either :)

    Bret Contreras conducted EMG research and a bb hip thrust was shown to activate glutes more than any bb squat or deadlift. I bb hip thrust 195 lbs now for 5 reps and aiming for 225 lbs for 10 reps. And yes, I do bb squat and deadlift as well.

    In order, the hip extension exercises with the highest glute activation are the kneeling squat (67%), deadlift (55%), sumo deadlift (52%) and Zercher squat (45%).

    • In order, the hip hyperextension exercises with the highest glute activation are the single leg bent leg reverse hyper (122%), hip thrust (119%), pendulum quadruped hip extension (112%), bent leg reverse hyper (111%).

    Source : http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dispelling_the_glute_myth

    And what makes you think I read garbage fitness mags? I only do compound lifts and know more about exercises than idiot male trainers at my gym. One never even heard of low bar and high bar squats and never heard of SS. I was going to ask him if he even lifted...

    Don't assume that women't don't know anything. I know more than you since I know the hip thrusts activate your glutes more than squats. Science is behind me. Google Bret Contreras and hip thrusts if you don't believe me. Maybe you are the one that needs to do more research before saying that back squats are #1 for glutes? They are one of the top lifts for sure for glutes but not #1. Trust me, I know my stuff.

    Jesus Christ, you asked a question and I answered. Why do you go all aggressive?

    lol Im not aggressive... I am just proving a point... that squats are not necessarily key to a backside. Yes; they ARE one of the best compound lifts to work the entire lower body, stimulate growth like no other etc etc... but the best exercise for glutes is hip thrusts. I am just making a point.

    You should have just said that squats are a badass/alpha exercise which I agree with! However you were patronizing and told me to "learn" them which is offensive. Why would you assume that I don't know how to do them properly to begin with? Also, they are not the #1 exercise for glutes. They ARE one of they key exercises but not THE key exercise. There is a difference.

    I am not aggressive; I just back what I say up with studies and statistics. That's not aggressive but being thorough and leaving no stone unturned.

    Also, you assumed that I read garbage on fitness websites... what is that? I read reliable sources like T Nation and Elite FTS. Guys like Dave Tate. Do you even know who he is? What makes you assume I read articles form garbage sites? The tone of your post was so patronizing and offensive. Do you think I read crap articles from Shape magazine that tells women to lift 5 lb dumbells and stand on one leg on a bosu ball or some other nonsense?

    I am alpha and smart :) I only read articles from the best and most knowledgeable writers in the sports and science industry. I take notes from powerlifters like Dave Tate who write amazing articles on the box squat, deadlifts etc. I am not an idiot....

    I watch series like this in my free time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS2wLZSdeDg

    Do you think I am reading/studying from crap fitness websites now? No, I learn from the PROS.
  • jstar007 trolling mfp

    strong life
  • EnviousDan
    EnviousDan Posts: 107 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    Barbell hip thrusts are far superior for the glutes than squats. Yes; I do BB squats btw... Only barbell squats for me; no smith ever EVER EVER. And with no pad either :)

    Bret Contreras conducted EMG research and a bb hip thrust was shown to activate glutes more than any bb squat or deadlift. I bb hip thrust 195 lbs now for 5 reps and aiming for 225 lbs for 10 reps. And yes, I do bb squat and deadlift as well.

    In order, the hip extension exercises with the highest glute activation are the kneeling squat (67%), deadlift (55%), sumo deadlift (52%) and Zercher squat (45%).

    • In order, the hip hyperextension exercises with the highest glute activation are the single leg bent leg reverse hyper (122%), hip thrust (119%), pendulum quadruped hip extension (112%), bent leg reverse hyper (111%).

    Source : http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dispelling_the_glute_myth

    And what makes you think I read garbage fitness mags? I only do compound lifts and know more about exercises than idiot male trainers at my gym. One never even heard of low bar and high bar squats and never heard of SS. I was going to ask him if he even lifted...

    Don't assume that women't don't know anything. I know more than you since I know the hip thrusts activate your glutes more than squats. Science is behind me. Google Bret Contreras and hip thrusts if you don't believe me. Maybe you are the one that needs to do more research before saying that back squats are #1 for glutes? They are one of the top lifts for sure for glutes but not #1. Trust me, I know my stuff.

    Jesus Christ, you asked a question and I answered. Why do you go all aggressive?

    lol Im not aggressive... I am just proving a point... that squats are not necessarily key to a backside. Yes; they ARE one of the best compound lifts to work the entire lower body, stimulate growth like no other etc etc... but the best exercise for glutes is hip thrusts. I am just making a point.

    You should have just said that squats are a badass/alpha exercise which I agree with! However you were patronizing and told me to "learn" them which is offensive. Why would you assume that I don't know how to do them properly to begin with? Also, they are not the #1 exercise for glutes. They ARE one of they key exercises but not THE key exercise. There is a difference.

    I am not aggressive; I just back what I say up with studies and statistics. That's not aggressive but being thorough and leaving no stone unturned.

    Also, you assumed that I read garbage on fitness websites... what is that? I read reliable sources like T Nation and Elite FTS. Guys like Dave Tate. Do you even know who he is? What makes you assume I read articles form garbage sites? The tone of your post was so patronizing and offensive. Do you think I read crap articles from Shape magazine that tells women to lift 5 lb dumbells and stand on one leg on a bosu ball or some other nonsense?

    I am alpha and smart :) I only read articles from the best and most knowledgeable writers in the sports and science industry. I take notes from powerlifters like Dave Tate who write amazing articles on the box squat, deadlifts etc. I am not an idiot.

    I didn't assume anything, lol. I was just generally commenting on those silly "a fit butt in 10 minutes" ads that seem to be everywhere. I don't know why you are taking everything so personally. You are was defensive and assuming all this random **** over what? A few sentences I typed. I wasn't patronizing, you were trying to read it that way on purpose. Stop trolling and back off on the roid rage.
  • jstar007 trolling mfp

    strong life

    lol, yea.... I got banned from bodybuilding forum until the 1st... I'm not trolling though. Just sharing my knowledge and wisdom.
  • helpfit101
    helpfit101 Posts: 347 Member
    Clean and jerk?

    Actually seeing a woman doing heavy deadlifts/squats would probably put me off.

    Wide grip pull ups though those would be sexy.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Squats. Learn to do them properly and push yourself. Girls who squat are incredibly sexy. And ignore all those garbage ads you see on fitness website. The true secret to a great backside is squats.

    LOL!! One of the fitness monitors at the gym says " it excites me to see women squatting with proper form". He also says it impresses him that I can squat 150lbs.

    That IS very impressive isn't it? i mean don't mind me i literally can only squat 75 for now but wow...serves as great inspiration for me!

    I was nervous squatting correctly simply because I don't want to get hurt...I had an instructor watch and when I got the ok for squats and deadlifts i added when i thought i was ready! so one day maybe i can be like yoU!

    When I first started, I couldn't do much either! I started with the assisted squat machine, then switched to the smith machine ( gasp).

    I bet you can be like me. Just keep pushing yourself. I stopped squatting for about 6 months, and literally in the last 2-3 weeks have been able to add about 25lbs to my squat weight.
  • michelefrench
    michelefrench Posts: 814 Member
    I have just issued myself a 6 week challenge to do un-assisted pull-ups...at least one...
  • iceqieen
    iceqieen Posts: 862 Member
    I really admire the 82 year old lady I met at the gym a month ago. She comes in every day and works out to the best of her ability.
    I also admire the mother and daughter team who would be at least 150kg each who come in most days and work out. The mum told me that they used to have to take the elevator to the gym floor but now can do the stairs.

    To be honest they are the women who make me stop and smile, not because they are amazing physical specimens but because they are overcoming some major barriers and stereotypes just by turning up.

    I think they are pretty badass :)

    :flowerforyou:
    I very much agree!

    Size or age doesnt define who can be baddass, its the attitute in overcoming difficulties

    :flowerforyou: :happy:

    I sometimes still feel uncomfortable going to the gym because most are military people and when i do things like squats, clean and presses, deadlifts, etc i can see my HUGE belly in the mirror. I know this isn't directed towards me but it gives me hope that maybe i don't look like the fat idiot at the gym

    You probably look awesome. So what if you still have a belly, you are exercising and that's enough :drinker:
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    Size or age doesnt define who can be baddass, its the attitute in overcoming difficulties

    I kind of agree with that.

    Plus there is something really irritating and a little bit pathetic when you see certain folk gagging for attention... all "look at me", slamming their weights, then looking around to see who's watching... :yawn: