Girls and Weight training? Yes or No?
DangerousDUCK
Posts: 181 Member
How many of the girls here do weight training? and If not why not?
All the benefits are to numerous to list, and the reasons not to are based on myths an misconceptions!
- Weight training can even majorly effect how efficient your body is at burning fat meaning you can eat more.
- It can fight skin, muscular and skeletal ageing.
- You'll look better naked
- daily life is easier when you're stronger
- Weight training will boost the amount of kcals you burn in the gym and can be incorporated into your cardio routines easily
A basic weights program categorically will NOT make you "bulky" "manly" or grow a beard!
Terry
p.s feel free to add me, I'll do the same
All the benefits are to numerous to list, and the reasons not to are based on myths an misconceptions!
- Weight training can even majorly effect how efficient your body is at burning fat meaning you can eat more.
- It can fight skin, muscular and skeletal ageing.
- You'll look better naked
- daily life is easier when you're stronger
- Weight training will boost the amount of kcals you burn in the gym and can be incorporated into your cardio routines easily
A basic weights program categorically will NOT make you "bulky" "manly" or grow a beard!
Terry
p.s feel free to add me, I'll do the same
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Replies
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im not a "girl" im a fat ole bird ha ha but I do weight train. doing heavy full body compound weights, circuit training and insanity (cardio and body weight training) has helped me lose over 60lbs so far. still got a way to go but working on the weights is my favourite training and something I want to progress even more with0
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I'm not a "girl" either. I do weight train. I lost weight, gained strengrh etc. Love weight training.0
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I don't weight train for quite a variety of reasons:
1. I find it extremely boring. I would rather do a whole hour of cardio than weight train for 10 minutes.
2. I don't want to shell out money to build a home gym for something I don't enjoy in the first place. "Girl" gyms in my area don't offer satisfactory weight training options (unless you consider pink dumbbells a good option), and the only mixed gym allows women 8 am - noon. Not a good option for someone who has a job. The closest gym where I could actually work any time I want is a 90 minute drive and extremely expensive. Again, don't want to shell money for something I don't enjoy.
3. I have chronic back issues and need to be very careful. Any wrong movement could leave me in bed for a month. I have gotten used to avoiding movement mistakes, but with weights I will have to find out the hard way, sacrificing a few months every now and then, how to move without consequences. I went through that process for running and it was hell worth it because I love it, but I don't think I'm willing to make the same sacrifices for something I don't like.
4. Did I mention I don't enjoy it?0 -
I'm not a "girl" either. I do weight train. I lost weight, gained strengrh etc. Love weight training.im not a "girl" im a fat ole bird ha ha but I do weight train. doing heavy full body compound weights, circuit training and insanity (cardio and body weight training) has helped me lose over 60lbs so far. still got a way to go but working on the weights is my favourite training and something I want to progress even more with
Sorry ladies(that better?) no offence meant just the informal way I speak
Im glad you are "on board" so to speak, I see way too many women who avoid the free weights entirely
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I used to do a lot of weight training. I had a long break, as I went away, now I'm back and doing HIIT cardio for a few months (half way done) then will reduce the HIIT and hit the weights again. I can't wait haha.0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't weight train for quite a variety of reasons:
1. I find it extremely boring. I would rather do a whole hour of cardio than weight train for 10 minutes.
2. I don't want to shell out money to build a home gym for something I don't enjoy in the first place. "Girl" gyms in my area don't offer satisfactory weight training options (unless you consider pink dumbbells a good option), and the only mixed gym allows women 8 am - noon. Not a good option for someone who has a job. The closest gym where I could actually work any time I want is a 90 minute drive and extremely expensive. Again, don't want to shell money for something I don't enjoy.
3. I have chronic back issues and need to be very careful. Any wrong movement could leave me in bed for a month. I have gotten used to avoiding movement mistakes, but with weights I will have to find out the hard way, sacrificing a few months every now and then, how to move without consequences. I went through that process for running and it was hell worth it because I love it, but I don't think I'm willing to make the same sacrifices for something I don't like.
4. Did I mention I don't enjoy it?
- I'm picking up a vibe that you are not a fan of the free weights? haha
- Have you tried a studio class that uses weights? sometimes it can bridge the gap between weights an cardio and also make it a fun group activity?
- The back issues could potentially be helped by a tailored weights program to strengthen the affected area. But that is entirely based on the type of back issue and your Docs advice first before taking any unnecessary risk.
- I like pink dumbbells
- I would take it up with your gym that only allows women during such a small window of time, times have changed most women work full time etc
_ If you genuinely dislike the activity completely in all its forms then no problem, we're all different etc
Terry
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I don't avoid free weights, but I have to fight for them at my gym. I do a weight training DVD at home but its not proper lifting (so to speak). I am currently doing body weight workouts that leave me pretty achy and knackered so I am assuming that they'll do the trick, but I will get back to my proper weights routine when my gym calms down after the New Year rush.
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DangerousDUCK wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't weight train for quite a variety of reasons:
1. I find it extremely boring. I would rather do a whole hour of cardio than weight train for 10 minutes.
2. I don't want to shell out money to build a home gym for something I don't enjoy in the first place. "Girl" gyms in my area don't offer satisfactory weight training options (unless you consider pink dumbbells a good option), and the only mixed gym allows women 8 am - noon. Not a good option for someone who has a job. The closest gym where I could actually work any time I want is a 90 minute drive and extremely expensive. Again, don't want to shell money for something I don't enjoy.
3. I have chronic back issues and need to be very careful. Any wrong movement could leave me in bed for a month. I have gotten used to avoiding movement mistakes, but with weights I will have to find out the hard way, sacrificing a few months every now and then, how to move without consequences. I went through that process for running and it was hell worth it because I love it, but I don't think I'm willing to make the same sacrifices for something I don't like.
4. Did I mention I don't enjoy it?
- I'm picking up a vibe that you are not a fan of the free weights? haha
- Have you tried a studio class that uses weights? sometimes it can bridge the gap between weights an cardio and also make it a fun group activity?
- The back issues could potentially be helped by a tailored weights program to strengthen the affected area. But that is entirely based on the type of back issue and your Docs advice first before taking any unnecessary risk.
- I like pink dumbbells
- I would take it up with your gym that only allows women during such a small window of time, times have changed most women work full time etc
_ If you genuinely dislike the activity completely in all its forms then no problem, we're all different etc
Terry
you clearly have a reading problem.
Her back injury is a very good reason not to lift and going to a cardio 'lifting' class is probably the worst thing she can do. there wont be form checks nor will it be a slow pace. And I dont think a cardio 'lifting' class will make her like it anymore.
I lift. I don't appreciate being called a 'girl'. I'm not 5yo. I love lifting, makes me a stronger runner. and I'm prrttt sure my strength adaided me in the self defense class I took last night. it'll aid in viciously fighting off the idiot who decides to mess with me.-6 -
I lift
I just hate having such a small gym. I see the same people at the same time every day taking up all the available space, hogging the equipment without doing anything with it, talking and laughing. It irks me. Let someone else have a turn so I can bust it out and go home!0 -
DangerousDUCK wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't weight train for quite a variety of reasons:
1. I find it extremely boring. I would rather do a whole hour of cardio than weight train for 10 minutes.
2. I don't want to shell out money to build a home gym for something I don't enjoy in the first place. "Girl" gyms in my area don't offer satisfactory weight training options (unless you consider pink dumbbells a good option), and the only mixed gym allows women 8 am - noon. Not a good option for someone who has a job. The closest gym where I could actually work any time I want is a 90 minute drive and extremely expensive. Again, don't want to shell money for something I don't enjoy.
3. I have chronic back issues and need to be very careful. Any wrong movement could leave me in bed for a month. I have gotten used to avoiding movement mistakes, but with weights I will have to find out the hard way, sacrificing a few months every now and then, how to move without consequences. I went through that process for running and it was hell worth it because I love it, but I don't think I'm willing to make the same sacrifices for something I don't like.
4. Did I mention I don't enjoy it?
- I'm picking up a vibe that you are not a fan of the free weights? haha
- Have you tried a studio class that uses weights? sometimes it can bridge the gap between weights an cardio and also make it a fun group activity?
- The back issues could potentially be helped by a tailored weights program to strengthen the affected area. But that is entirely based on the type of back issue and your Docs advice first before taking any unnecessary risk.
- I like pink dumbbells
- I would take it up with your gym that only allows women during such a small window of time, times have changed most women work full time etc
_ If you genuinely dislike the activity completely in all its forms then no problem, we're all different etc
Terry
Not if you live in the middle east lol.
As for my back issues, it's not a run of the mill back weakness. It's actual scar tissue left after a horrible accident that is too close to the spinal cord.
I actually do the bare minimum of body weight resistance training to stay strong. I don't particularly enjoy it, but can force myself to do 10 minutes of it twice a week, which isn't the case with free weights lol. Even 10 minutes is 10 minutes too long. I use Convict Conditioning as a guideline. I first started with You Are Your Own gym, but the "let me ins" exercise threw my back for a loop, and then again with the "romanian deadlifts", so I opted for the Convict Conditioning because the moves are more basic. Basically: body weight squats, push ups, leg raises (I don't do those, I substitute planks), and pull ups.0 -
All the offense on being called a girl?? I'm sorry but I would not have even thought for that to be offensive.
I just started free weights this week. I was a little intimidated to go into that part of the gym but after I got started a guy noticed my fo was off and came to help me some. Turns out it wasn't nearly as bad in that area as I thought. Lol. I really need to work one upper body strength. I love to cycle and run, I also do studio classes of all sorts, and p90x3 is starting next week. The weights I'm only doing twice a week right now and it's all upper body. My trainer helped me yesterday put together a plan and he showed me how to properly lift 0 -
I don't avoid free weights, but I have to fight for them at my gym. I do a weight training DVD at home but its not proper lifting (so to speak). I am currently doing body weight workouts that leave me pretty achy and knackered so I am assuming that they'll do the trick, but I will get back to my proper weights routine when my gym calms down after the New Year rush.
This is me at the moment. I'm going to brave the gym again next week - in the hope it'll have calmed down a little by then. I had to fight for the squat rack in the run up to Christmas - I'd have had to resort to physical violence to get near it when busier!!0 -
[/quote]
you clearly have a reading problem. Why immediately be rude?
Her back injury is a very good reason not to lift and going to a cardio 'lifting' class is probably the worst thing she can do. there wont be form checks nor will it be a slow pace. And I dont think a cardio 'lifting' class will make her like it anymore. Again It would depend entirely on the nature of the issue, hence I qualified the statement by saying speak to a doc etc, plus I've done form checks in a class before just depends on the type of class.
I lift. I don't appreciate being called a 'girl'. I'm not 5yo. I love lifting, makes me a stronger runner. and I'm prrttt sure my strength adaided me in the self defense class I took last night. it'll aid in viciously fighting off the idiot who decides to mess with me.[/quote]
I already explained...
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I lifted weights in high school and was in great shape. Here I am, at 35, starting again just two weeks ago. I've lost 1.5 inches around my waist already!!! Woohoo!0
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furioushummingbird wrote: »I lift
I just hate having such a small gym. I see the same people at the same time every day taking up all the available space, hogging the equipment without doing anything with it, talking and laughing. It irks me. Let someone else have a turn so I can bust it out and go home!
At every gym I there can never be too much space or too much equipment but invariably the balance is usually wrong
[/quote]
Not if you live in the middle east lol.
As for my back issues, it's not a run of the mill back weakness. It's actual scar tissue left after a horrible accident that is too close to the spinal cord.
I actually do the bare minimum of body weight resistance training to stay strong. I don't particularly enjoy it, but can force myself to do 10 minutes of it twice a week, which isn't the case with free weights lol. Even 10 minutes is 10 minutes too long. I use Convict Conditioning as a guideline. I first started with You Are Your Own gym, but the "let me ins" exercise threw my back for a loop, and then again with the "romanian deadlifts", so I opted for the Convict Conditioning because the moves are more basic. Basically: body weight squats, push ups, leg raises (I don't do those, I substitute planks), and pull ups.[/quote]
Fair enough.
I know a few girls who avoid the weights room as its just too many men in there, can be intimidating which is why the female only areas are a good ideaAll the offense on being called a girl?? I'm sorry but I would not have even thought for that to be offensive. It wasnt meant to be at all, but If i worried all day about offending someone we'd never have an opinion on anything
I just started free weights this week. I was a little intimidated to go into that part of the gym but after I got started a guy noticed my fo was off and came to help me some. Turns out it wasn't nearly as bad in that area as I thought. Lol. I really need to work one upper body strength. I love to cycle and run, I also do studio classes of all sorts, and p90x3 is starting next week. The weights I'm only doing twice a week right now and it's all upper body. My trainer helped me yesterday put together a plan and he showed me how to properly liftI don't avoid free weights, but I have to fight for them at my gym. I do a weight training DVD at home but its not proper lifting (so to speak). I am currently doing body weight workouts that leave me pretty achy and knackered so I am assuming that they'll do the trick, but I will get back to my proper weights routine when my gym calms down after the New Year rush.
Body weight excercises will definately be of benefit, and hopefully progress you onto the free weights
This is me at the moment. I'm going to brave the gym again next week - in the hope it'll have calmed down a little by then. I had to fight for the squat rack in the run up to Christmas - I'd have had to resort to physical violence to get near it when busier!!
If you keep you keep up the weights the physical violence will come easier too ;P
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MaggieLoo79 wrote: »I lifted weights in high school and was in great shape. Here I am, at 35, starting again just two weeks ago. I've lost 1.5 inches around my waist already!!! Woohoo!
Congrats.
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Why do you want to know?-1
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Wow. I thought we're supposed to be taking "like a girl" as a compliment these days, not getting in a huff over what is clearly a slang/familiar use of the word "girl."
Anyways, yep, OP, I do weight train. You'll find that a good number of women here n MFP do. I started last July after doing bodyweight training for a few months.0 -
What has it got to do with you?
Edited smelling mistakes!0 -
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Thank Goodness we girls have the OP to tell us it's OK to lift!0
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I feel like this question is supposed to just be bait, irrespective of whether or not women do or do not weight train, or what their reasons are (which, as pointed out above, are often valid).
I don't know whether you're seeking to empower women or pick up, but the way you postulate your post (with an immediate 'well this is why you should') just gets me so offside.-2 -
I am naturally a wimpy person, I have a hard time lifting heavy things with hurting myself, I have very skinny arms. About a year ago I decided I wouldn't get stronger so I can help my husband with the heavy work around the house with out him needing to call one of his buddies with enough strength to help him. So I started doing Insanity and Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones dvd. Now I can help my husband lift anything without him asking someone else for help and I slowly adding heavier hand weights to my routine.0
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I enjoy training more than cardio but its amazing how if you take a few weeks off you can't just jump back where you were...PR for DL 135. Working on my goal of 170.
136. I've always found all the bros in the free weight area to be nice and helpful and usually a little curious.0 -
I lifted for half a year - and stopped because I just didn't enjoy it. But I recommend it to everone who hasn't tried it already.
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My girls don't weight train - they are a little young for it and I'd be concerned about impact on bone development, etc. maybe later. They do fence, run, climb, etc....
They are 10 and 12.
But why exactly are you interested in what my girls do?0 -
Lifting is primarily what I do. When I first started trying to tone up and lose some fat, I would run on the treadmill for 45min-1hr I did this for 3-4x/week for months and saw barely any results. Now I'm working of TDEE, heavy lifting 3x/week and cardio 1-2x/week. And I'm toning up and losing inches, I feel happier and each time I go up in weight in lifting it feels like a great accomplishment. HIIT cardio is also great for women who don't enjoy lifting or think it's boring. (I have that exact problem with cardio). Everyone's preferences are different!
But like you said, its difficult for lifting to make a woman "jacked" or "manly" simply because we don't make enough testosterone for our bodies to accomplish that. I think it's a great addition to a work out plan for women if it's safe for you to do so and you enjoy it 0 -
I lifted in my teens and 20s, and I am just starting to get back into it now.0
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I love weight training for all of the reasons the OP listed plus because lifting heavy stuff is a hell of a lot of fun!0
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Well I'm a woman and I love weight training. I enjoy the challenge and especially how it makes my body feel and look. I find cardio a little boring so I have to keep switching up what I am doing there but I never find weights boring.
btw if you want to know if women find being called a girl offensive then ask them. Personally I find it patronizing (although I realize that was not your intent) and I would never call a grown man a boy.0
This discussion has been closed.
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