Females only - lifting/weight training results?

Talk to your trainer or get a new one. I'm not a fan of weight machines-used them for years with NO results. Then started using free weights, kettlebells, pull up bars and body weight exercises and the results are completely different!! Some trainers at the gym get a little lazy and some are GREAT so you may have to shop around!!! Perhaps you can use a combination of them, but I agree with other posts- you work other muscles- especially stabilizing muscles- far better when you use free weights. Machines are great if you are a beginner, what to isolate muscles groups, you are "afraid" or "nervous" about free weights, have some physical limitations that you are trying to improve, etc- they have their place in the grand scheme of things and can be a great complement to your entire weight training routine. But let's face it Samson was a strong man and there was not a bicep curl machine to be found LOL!!! Seriously though, have a chat with you trainer about your goals and the rationale to their decision to put you on all machines, then talk to another one on the low-low and compare notes.

Bump

Before


After 1 year of lifting and cutting.



Street clothes in case some might think we look "bulky" or muscular all the time. Pictures above are right after a workout and flexed. Most people are surprised that I lift heavy weights.



2 years lifting, 1 year maintaining.

AWESOME!!

Impressive results! Love the flexin' picture.

Motivation is always great. but keep in mind that in order to see the results you want to see, you will need to first lower your body fat percentage. Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle. Unless you're morbidly obese, I hear it's next to impossible to build muscle and lose weight at the same time. Building muscle is difficult for women because they have significantly less testosterone than men, but it can still be done. Best of luck to all the women weight trainers out there!

I want to get stronger too but I still have some more weight to lose. I'm close to my first goal (when I'll finally not be considered overweight for my height and build) but I want to get even lower so I have a low enough body fat percentage to actually see the muscles I'll be building.

Annnnd this is silly. Lifting as you lose weight will help you retain the muscle you have, help you become stronger, and improve your fitness. More than that you can certainly do it while lowering your bodyfat and seeing great results. I will demonstrate with a tasteful photo collage (I spend a lot of time playing on my phone...)





There is no reason not to lift as you lose weight.

I don't think that is what they are saying.

They're saying "Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle".

In other words, lift while you cut for strength and bone health (and to preserve muscle - they left that part out). Wait to build muscle, i.e. bulk until you get to low %BF. Which is the general recommendation so your gains are more LBM, less fat.

look through my pictures. I've been training for 2.5 years.

Hello fellow North Carolinian, great progress!

Motivation is always great. but keep in mind that in order to see the results you want to see, you will need to first lower your body fat percentage. Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle. Unless you're morbidly obese, I hear it's next to impossible to build muscle and lose weight at the same time. Building muscle is difficult for women because they have significantly less testosterone than men, but it can still be done. Best of luck to all the women weight trainers out there!

I want to get stronger too but I still have some more weight to lose. I'm close to my first goal (when I'll finally not be considered overweight for my height and build) but I want to get even lower so I have a low enough body fat percentage to actually see the muscles I'll be building.

Annnnd this is silly. Lifting as you lose weight will help you retain the muscle you have, help you become stronger, and improve your fitness. More than that you can certainly do it while lowering your bodyfat and seeing great results. I will demonstrate with a tasteful photo collage (I spend a lot of time playing on my phone...)





There is no reason not to lift as you lose weight.

I don't think that is what they are saying.

They're saying "Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle".

In other words, lift while you cut for strength and bone health (and to preserve muscle - they left that part out). Wait to build muscle, i.e. bulk until you get to low %BF. Which is the general recommendation so your gains are more LBM, less fat.

Actually, if you're a newbie you can definitely do both, and why wouldn't you want to.

Bump

After just two and a half months of Stronglifts 5x5. Lost -3 kg, but 2 clothes sizes in a year.

BUMP! So inspiring!