Why do so many women lift such light weights?

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Replies

  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I prefer bodyweight exercises so I sometimes go weeks without picking up a weight at all.
    progressive loading has nothing to do with lifting- it's progressive loading.
    You can progressively load with body weights just fine- you do not NEED to lift WEIGHTS- to be lifting "heavy".

    I first heard the term "lifting heavy' on MFP. I asked exactly what that meant and was told 'lifting as heavy a weight as you could for 8 reps while maintaining good form'. So, perhaps this is just a difference in what is meant by "lifting heavy".

    While I am progressively doing more pushups per set, my goal is that the weight used (my bodyweight) will not increase.

    ETA: I also do not plan to progressively do more per set forever.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    <
    Flips perfectly styled hair and redos makeup before skipping off to do 500 bicep curls with a pink 2lb weight. :laugh:
  • crystalfisher89
    crystalfisher89 Posts: 196 Member
    I'm not. I do a body pump class (bar bells with weights) and I love that I can lift as heavy as I do for as many reps as I do. It's endurance lifting, but it pushes you to your max. I do 60 lbs hang clings (3 rounds) and 50 lb squats (3 sets). When I do go up into the weight lifting room, I am right along with the guys grabbing big weights and lift until failure. Maybe it's because I grew up a tom boy, but I love lifting heavy and feel proud when I can out lift a guy. :)

    I think why so many women lift light is because they are worried they'll "bulk" which is a misconception because you can't bulk if you eat at a deficit. Also women doesn't want to look "manly" with big muscles. I say to hell with that because I have a muscular build and i can still look great in a dress even with muscles. Because I'm not eating at a surplus, I'm not too worried about bulking and I love the toning benefits. My fiancee likes to say that strong is much sexier than skinny.

    I apologize if this post came off as egotistical, but I hate that women think the they can't lift heavy because they'll get man arms or something.
  • SilverRose89
    SilverRose89 Posts: 447 Member
    I think women get told a lot of crap at the gym as well, or at least I did.

    I walked into the gym knowing nothing two months ago and was given a program to do. I wanted to lose weight and 'tone up' like we all say at first. I was told it's important to do weights alongside cardio, but not why this is and also they gave me weights which I could do 20 reps of. In the end friends who know better and also this forum told me I should be finding a weight I can do 8-10 reps of instead of doing loads of light ones.

    Why the instructor didn't tell me this I have no idea. Presumably not a lack of knowledge?
  • Harrisonsauntie2005
    Harrisonsauntie2005 Posts: 215 Member
    Women shouldn't lift heavy... it bulks you up :)
  • SilverRose89
    SilverRose89 Posts: 447 Member
    Women shouldn't lift heavy... it bulks you up :)

    Sarcasm? I never know on here! :bigsmile:
  • Harrisonsauntie2005
    Harrisonsauntie2005 Posts: 215 Member
    Women shouldn't lift heavy... it bulks you up :)

    Sarcasm? I never know on here! :bigsmile:

    Yeah! :)
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I first heard the term "lifting heavy' on MFP. I asked exactly what that meant and was told 'lifting as heavy a weight as you could for 8 reps while maintaining good form'. So, perhaps this is just a difference in what is meant by "lifting heavy".

    While I am progressively doing more pushups per set, my goal is that the weight used (my bodyweight) will not increase.

    ETA: I also do not plan to progressively do more per set forever.

    lifting heavy in terms of actual weights is often used because it's the most common- most research and easily available method- and for all intents and purposes- it's the most accessible.
    They were right to an extent- but heavy is defined as 1-5 typically- 5-10 is more size and strength- 10-15 is for muscle endurance.

    That's the thing- doing MORE isn't progressively loading (because you are right- BW doesn't change) You are just doing more.

    progressively loading means you are making it a harder move. So instead of just doing more push ups- try doing a harder variation.
    Because once you get to 10/12 reps- you are no longer training strength- you are training endurance.
    I'm not. I do a body pump class (bar bells with weights) and I love that I can lift as heavy as I do for as many reps as I do. It's endurance lifting, but it pushes you to your max.
    kind of- body pump is about cardio- so I wouldn't say so much to your max because it's more about conditioning training than strength-

    long distance vs physical strength- it's just a totally different thing. And it's neither good nor bad.
    I apologize if this post came off as egotistical, but I hate that women think the they can't lift heavy because they'll get man arms or something.
    nah- you aren't- i had similar post in the "I'm a woman in the free weights section" it gets old hearing this crap about women not lifting.
    Again- it boils down mostly to not being educated and all the bad crap from fitness magazines. I really just laugh at the women who say they dont' want to lift because they will get to big- I'm like you cant' be bothered to come in for 2 sessions a week and put down twinkies much less do the work it takes to look half as big as I look.

    Sigh.
    just sigh.

    one at a time we will convert them to our plan!!!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I first heard the term "lifting heavy' on MFP. I asked exactly what that meant and was told 'lifting as heavy a weight as you could for 8 reps while maintaining good form'. So, perhaps this is just a difference in what is meant by "lifting heavy".

    While I am progressively doing more pushups per set, my goal is that the weight used (my bodyweight) will not increase.

    ETA: I also do not plan to progressively do more per set forever.

    lifting heavy in terms of actual weights is often used because it's the most common- most research and easily available method- and for all intents and purposes- it's the most accessible.
    They were right to an extent- but heavy is defined as 1-5 typically- 5-10 is more size and strength- 10-15 is for muscle endurance.

    That's the thing- doing MORE isn't progressively loading (because you are right- BW doesn't change) You are just doing more.

    progressively loading means you are making it a harder move. So instead of just doing more push ups- try doing a harder variation.
    Because once you get to 10/12 reps- you are no longer training strength- you are training endurance.

    I probably do not know correct terminology when it comes to strength training, be it building strength or building endurance, but I think we saying similar things.

    My goal is not to continually increase strength. I am happy to build to a certain point and maintain, in both strength and endurance.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Definitely has something to do with the current portrayal of women in the media and lack of education regarding fitness and weight loss.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I'm not. I do a body pump class (bar bells with weights) and I love that I can lift as heavy as I do for as many reps as I do. It's endurance lifting, but it pushes you to your max.

    I always looked at Body Pump as more of a cardio thing than anywhere close to lifting.
  • Dposh67
    Dposh67 Posts: 16 Member
    Agree with a lot of comments already made, but I've always been a little baffled by this ...

    I played high school sports ( basketball and softball ) now I'm 26 so I've only been removed from high school for 8 years, but when we were in athletics at my high school we were required to be a part of a weight lifting program.

    I had to learn to bench press, use free weights, incline. Sure we didn't do dead lifts and some of the more "men" oriented moves, but I still knew how to use dumbells and barbells.

    I would assume that a lot of high schools had this type of structure. So it baffles me that there are so many women that don't know even how to do some dumbell exercises.

    Now, I get not everyone plays sports, but I would think in High School more than 50% participated in some kind of sports. Maybe my high school was just really intense ..... lol

    or your school was just small.
    For those of us who came from bigger schools there's no way that percentage would be up to 50%. There would have to be 10 baskeball teams, 16 football teams to accommodate 50% of the student body to participate in school sports. lol. My graduating class was 784..and those were just the seniors who passed.

    A lot of schools have different programs for gym class. And lifting weights was just not in a typical "gym day" . I can understand some women never playing kickball or doing a situp. But knowing how to lift is something different
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    Agree with a lot of comments already made, but I've always been a little baffled by this ...

    I played high school sports ( basketball and softball ) now I'm 26 so I've only been removed from high school for 8 years, but when we were in athletics at my high school we were required to be a part of a weight lifting program.

    I had to learn to bench press, use free weights, incline. Sure we didn't do dead lifts and some of the more "men" oriented moves, but I still knew how to use dumbells and barbells.

    I would assume that a lot of high schools had this type of structure. So it baffles me that there are so many women that don't know even how to do some dumbell exercises.

    Now, I get not everyone plays sports, but I would think in High School more than 50% participated in some kind of sports. Maybe my high school was just really intense ..... lol

    or your school was just small.
    For those of us who came from bigger schools there's no way that percentage would be up to 50%. There would have to be 10 baskeball teams, 16 football teams to accommodate 50% of the student body to participate in school sports. lol. My graduating class was 784..and those were just the seniors who passed.

    A lot of schools have different programs for gym class. And lifting weights was just not in a typical "gym day" . I can understand some women never playing kickball or doing a situp. But knowing how to lift is something different

    I never saw weights in my high school experience. We were taught all sorts of stuff... including trampoline and line dancing, but never did they do any lifting. In fact, I don't even know if my school had a weight lift area. It may have, but we certainly weren't introduced to it. I vaguely remember two guys in our school who were lifters, but it was a rarity.

    I wish that I had had that exposure as part of my education. I wish that there had been more of a focus on teaching sports and exercise that we could carry on into our lives (other than team sports). As an individual, I had a lot of self learning to do.

    And now... I aim to teach my girls that lifting is great. They watch me sometimes, and are pretty awed by "how strong mommy is"
  • crystalfisher89
    crystalfisher89 Posts: 196 Member
    I'm not. I do a body pump class (bar bells with weights) and I love that I can lift as heavy as I do for as many reps as I do. It's endurance lifting, but it pushes you to your max.

    I always looked at Body Pump as more of a cardio thing than anywhere close to lifting.

    It's actually considered resistance training more so than cardio. Yes it does ramp the heart up, but usually mostly only during the squat and clean and press sets.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I wonder the same thing. It seems like a long, slow process that is a waste of time.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I think the women that lift light weights are often in their twenties or younger. They are already fit from other activities and youth. So, they lift light weights as something extra, and they are happy with where they are so they don't have any reason to try something different and they just haven't learned anything different.

    However, these days fitness knowledge is spreading more and more through social media and the internet and sites such as mfp, new books, and magazines for heavy lifting women, friends sharing and talking.
  • phred_52
    phred_52 Posts: 189 Member
    Because they all visit MFP, and knew it would be just another, uhm, comical topic.: yawn:

    I must say that when I need some chuckles, well, forums are awesome. :wink:

    But honestly, why does it matter what they do or don't do?

    Ok, sarcasm done.
  • ashberry86
    ashberry86 Posts: 6
    my legs are boss and I'm at 220pounds but I'm very inexperienced with lifting in general. I want to but I'm embarrassed to try. Lack of training here
  • Blokeypoo
    Blokeypoo Posts: 274 Member
    Deleted
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    For me personally it used to be intimidation plain and simple. I was not confident at all that I knew what I was doing to be able to lift at all let alone go heavy, I didn't want to look dumb or get hurt because I didn't have the correct form. However now that I have been lifting for almost 3 years, with direction from a really awesome trainer, I have the confidence to go into a gym and not be intimidated. I know what I need to do and how to do it. I do get looks - I am often the only woman and usually the oldest in the gym lifting. Its okay though because I feel great, love the way I look and am stronger than I have ever been. As someone else stated in an earlier post it is empowering to be able to do these things and do them well.
  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    Go to the store and open up a copy of SHAPE or Fitness Magazine. That's why women lift tiny weights.
  • spacelump
    spacelump Posts: 233 Member
    I would feel a lot more confident in the weights section if every male in a 500 foot radius didn't feel the need to blatantly stare and make judgement. But, hey, that's just me.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I would feel a lot more confident in the weights section if every male in a 500 foot radius didn't feel the need to blatantly stare and make judgement. But, hey, that's just me.

    who says they are making a judgement? Stare maybe but that probably has something to do with women usually not being there...

    I found it funny that this thread is here at the same time I saw a male here assume that because a poster was Deadlifting 200lbs it was a guy...:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    He was corrected but there is something else...assumptions that women can't lift that heavy....please.
  • laurie04427
    laurie04427 Posts: 421 Member
    I'm too weak to do a push up so yeah if you saw me in there I'd be sweating while I'm benching the bar.

    Not sure why someone stronger would lift lightly though.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    I wonder the same thing. It seems like a long, slow process that is a waste of time.

    So what you are saying is...if you don't lift heavy...you shouldn't lift at all?

    There are a few of us that would love to lift heavy...but due to some conditions...our bodies don't allow us to...so we lift...light. Maybe it is a waste of time...but I like doing it...so...

    I started with my "Barbie weights" at 3lbs. The 13lbs weights that I use now...feels heavy to me!
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    Does anyone on this site do this?

    Seriously, 'I'm the lone woman in the weights section', 'I am woman hear me grunt' threads, 'eat deficit, lift heavy, suck it, brah brah' appearing somewhere as an answer to almost every post. Surely there can be no-one who uses the community section who isn't aware of this subject and feels either smug or chastised.

    I do weight lift and use heavy weights (except for standing shoulder presses :grumble:), but don't give a toss what other people do. Unless they actively come up to me and have a go at me for it, I just don't care.
  • Betty_Rubble
    Betty_Rubble Posts: 117 Member
    This is a great thread!
    For me, my answers are pretty simple:
    I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to go HEAVY!!!!
    1 - can't afford gym membership
    2 - can't afford necessary equipment for home gym

    I have dumbbells at home - using 15lbs (each hand) now, next week I'll be adding in some reps with 20lbs. I have a barbell and various weights, but no rack or anything like that.

    :angry:
  • Dalker
    Dalker Posts: 44 Member
    No one actually ever told me I needed to and it never occurred to me since the 'women's area' of the gym is set up with little dumbbells and I very much doubt I ever saw a picture of a fit woman in a magazine using anything but the tiniest dumbbells.
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    No one actually ever told me I needed to and it never occurred to me since the 'women's area' of the gym is set up with little dumbbells and I very much doubt I ever saw a picture of a fit woman in a magazine using anything but the tiniest dumbbells.

    Who designates the small dumbbells are the the "women's area" ... women.

    I'm not at the point where I can grab 30 lb weights, but I'd like to. & no man or placing of small dumbbells is going to make me stop trying.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    No one actually ever told me I needed to and it never occurred to me since the 'women's area' of the gym is set up with little dumbbells and I very much doubt I ever saw a picture of a fit woman in a magazine using anything but the tiniest dumbbells.

    there shouldn't even a be a women's area. Women train the same as men. I can understand the need for an area with smaller weights- people rehabbing need small weights.
    Children- need smaller weights
    people just starting out need smaller weight

    women do not inherently need smaller weights.
    It's actually considered resistance training more so than cardio. Yes it does ramp the heart up, but usually mostly only during the squat and clean and press sets.

    it's cardio. It's cardio with resistance- but it's still cardio.

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