Girls - How heavy do you go for squats?

I'm using 15s right now, but thinking about moving up to 20s. I'm concerned that if I go much heavier, it will make my thighs bigger instead of leaner. I'm not sure there's any science to that thinking, though...

I do 15 in each hand and I just started a month or so ago. I have done 100 lbs not including the bar but would not recommend that without a firm foundation of working out. I killed my back or butt, not sure which, I felt it pull or tear, doing squats incorrectly at that weight. I also learned that lighter weights can have a great effect when I saw a woman using relatively moderate weights with a nice muscular body. Moderation is good in this area for me.

...I'm at 150 for a PR now..

I'm at 155 lbs for my last set (we do 12/10/8 with 115/135/155), but we've been working on our form and getting below parallel at the bottom of the squat. I think it is almost time to up the weights! So excited I love having quads.

old thread is old.

as heavy as possible!

I'm up to 145lb, looking forward to 150lb in my next round of 5/3/1! Just me and my SUPER BULKY THIGHS!

85kg is my 1 rep max. I Usually train on 60-75kg for working sets.

Oh and my legs have only got leaner since I started, they may be a little bit bigger in size now (note: I did purposefully eat to gain weight/muscle, it didn't happen by accident) but you can't deny that they're definitely leaner! They had no muscle tone whatsoever beforehand.

I couldn't agree more I rather have toned strong legs then weak fat ones.

You ladies are inspirational. I just started weightlifting, and am terrified of squats due to bad knees. I'm practicing good form though, and just did them with my 15lb barbell yesterday. I clearly do not use my hamstrings enough, because they are aching (in a good way) today.

You ladies are inspirational. I just started weightlifting, and am terrified of squats due to bad knees. I'm practicing good form though, and just did them with my 15lb barbell yesterday. I clearly do not use my hamstrings enough, because they are aching (in a good way) today.

Make sure you do a full squat, at least to parallel, if not lower (if your hamstrings and hips are flexible enough). Not going to parallel is what risks knee injury, otherwise the knees are just a hinge to let the muscles do the work.

^this

If you can't go to parallel or below, try going into a super deep squat with just your body weight. Keep your feet flat on the floor and squat down until your thighs are touching your calves and your chest is close to your thighs (point your butt at the floor I've found that doing that and holding it a few times every day, even if you have to hold onto something for balance, helps strengthen the hip flexors. Try to stretch your hip flexors out, too. Those two things have made a huge difference in the depth of my squats. I used to have pain in my knees with squatting, too, but now that I'm going deeper and am stronger, it has gone away.

I love squats, it's my favourite exercise. Currently I squat 115 kgs for reps, I'm not sure how that transaltes to pounds/ibs?

I am working with a trainer and this week I did my squats with 135lbs. I was shocked that I could do this- I am 56 yrs old and I just started working with him in December 2013. I have lost 25lbs and I feel great. I came to this chat because I was curious as to how much weight is safe- thanks ladies for your input - I now feel better and I will listen to my body and increase weight/reps accordingly. We started with 5x5. It was amazing! Thanks ladies this was helpful and inspiring!

I love squats, it's my favourite exercise. Currently I squat 115 kgs for reps, I'm not sure how that transaltes to pounds/ibs?

High five!

I'm still aiming for 112.5kg for a 1RM in competition to take the Scottish record in my weight class. Hit 107.5kg last time easy. Currently running volume training rather than intensity so weights are low but my *kitten* looks amazing!

(When I say low, I mean 70-80kg this week for sets of ten.)

I am working with a trainer and this week I did my squats with 135lbs. I was shocked that I could do this- I am 56 yrs old and I just started working with him in December 2013. I have lost 25lbs and I feel great. I came to this chat because I was curious as to how much weight is safe- thanks ladies for your input - I now feel better and I will listen to my body and increase weight/reps accordingly. We started with 5x5. It was amazing! Thanks ladies this was helpful and inspiring!

great job!!!

i'm currently at 175 but will be working with a trainer soon and hope to get this up to 225 by year end

My daughter and I are doing Stronglifts 5x5 and last night we did 100lb squats.