TO ALL WOMAN!!!!! PLZ READ!!! Y U SHOULD LIFT!!!

I lift heavy 5 days a week. Yesterday was 30 x 185 deadlifts, today was 100+ pound jerks. Do it. You'll love it and you'll love feeling like a bad *kitten* in the process.
"Lift Heavy or Go HOME"

Bump

I lift, 3 days/wk.

For those who need to do it at home - ChaLean Extreme is a great tool (I used that in the summer when my kids were home).

At the gym (now), I use the book, "New Rules of Lifting for Women".

thanks, you just inspired me to try it

any links to any good basic routines??

I have been strength training through the avenue of "Strongman" for the past two years and have only seen amazing results. Along with the guys being friends with the majority of the guys you see on t.v. on "World's Strongest Man."

I didn't bulk in the slightest, and have toned up, and it's AWESOME to be able to lift heavy things and RUN with them. Fun to have a 300 lb. deadlift too...at 148 lb. body weight. : )

Everyone starts somewhere.

You could probably get a full-body routine going with less then 50lbs of dumbells.

Some guides (books or online) even have suggestions of how to get into it, if you don't have weights. Things like bricks, water jugs, large cans, backpack full of something, etc.

I've got a pair of dumbbells, 20kgs in total (so just under 50lbs?), but just can't seem to find as much info about working out with dumbbells as proper barbell set ups, I got the impression it's a poor substitute?

Well I'm just browsing the New Rules of Lifting threads, and looks like I could at least make a start on something like that. Not sure why, but figured I should be lifting a lot more than my dumbbells, but looking at other ladies's weights I think I've got a while to go before they're too light!

I do find squatting with dumbbells quite awkward though, where are you meant to hold them? I find they feel like they're in my way, just at my sides

Thanks, will try that

ok what about this I already look like a man I have line backer shoulders.... my doctor thinks I might have pcos I got a blood test done the other day and I haven't actually been able to talk to him cause he is at a conference but my blood work says I have abnormally high testosterone it's borderline..... and I don't need to look anymore like a man...... so I've been even more worried about lifting weights because of that

For those who are looking for a program to follow, "The Firm" has some awesome videos. They combine weights and aerobics in the same video, so you get the best of both worlds. I have 3, 5, & 10lb dumbells. If I want 8lbs, I hold the 5 & 3 at the same time. They are great for beginner to intermediate excercisers. They do have a few dvds that are more for advanced excercisers which I love too. You can get their dvds at Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, etc. for like $9 ea.

For those who are looking for a program to follow, "The Firm" has some awesome videos. They combine weights and aerobics in the same video, so you get the best of both worlds. I have 3, 5, & 10lb dumbells. If I want 8lbs, I hold the 5 & 3 at the same time. They are great for beginner to intermediate excercisers. They do have a few dvds that are more for advanced excercisers which I love too. You can get their dvds at Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, etc. for like $9 ea.

That is not lifting heavy. I use nothing less then 25 pounds dumbbells.

Ok, so who would think 3 - 10 lbs was heavy? Anyways........the point is that you don't have to lift heavy in order to lift. You can get a great workout and build muscle just fine using smaller weight. When I read posts on the forums here it gives people starting out the idea that unless you lift heavy weight then you aren't really doing anything. It sounds like if you don't have a huge weight set at home or go to the gym then you may as well not try. It also gets to be some ridiculous contest to see how much you can lift.

I was suggesting that series for people who posted that they don't know where to begin. That to me is a good way to introduce yourself to weights. They are using lighter weights during the cardio segments and the 10+ during the sculpting segments. They max out at 12+ reps.

Congratulations on only using 25lbs or heavier. That's great, good for you. This however isn't a contest and I see too many people on here scared to lift anything because they think if they aren't lifting like that then they aren't doing it right.
If more people realized that it is actually ok to lift lighter weights at higher reps then maybe they wouldn't be so scared of bulking up and actually give it a try.

For those who are looking for a program to follow, "The Firm" has some awesome videos. They combine weights and aerobics in the same video, so you get the best of both worlds. I have 3, 5, & 10lb dumbells. If I want 8lbs, I hold the 5 & 3 at the same time. They are great for beginner to intermediate excercisers. They do have a few dvds that are more for advanced excercisers which I love too. You can get their dvds at Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, etc. for like $9 ea.

That is not lifting heavy. I use nothing less then 25 pounds dumbbells.

Ok, so who would think 3 - 10 lbs was heavy? Anyways........the point is that you don't have to lift heavy in order to lift. You can get a great workout and build muscle just fine using smaller weight. When I read posts on the forums here it gives people starting out the idea that unless you lift heavy weight then you aren't really doing anything. It sounds like if you don't have a huge weight set at home or go to the gym then you may as well not try. It also gets to be some ridiculous contest to see how much you can lift.

I was suggesting that series for people who posted that they don't know where to begin. That to me is a good way to introduce yourself to weights. They are using lighter weights during the cardio segments and the 10+ during the sculpting segments. They max out at 12+ reps.

Congratulations on only using 25lbs or heavier. That's great, good for you. This however isn't a contest and I see too many people on here scared to lift anything because they think if they aren't lifting like that then they aren't doing it right.
If more people realized that it is actually ok to lift lighter weights at higher reps then maybe they wouldn't be so scared of bulking up and actually give it a try.

Well have fun with the barbie weights LOL People want results for the time they put in. They best way to have the bang for your buck it is to lift heavy. Why waste you time doing something that is not efficient? Women can't bulk up, we are lacking testosterone. In the last months since I started lifting heavy, I have lost many inches all over my body, lost fat, eat more then I ever did since I started MFP. What made the difference is lifting heavy. Sorry if my comment offended you but we are stronger then we think!!!

For those who are looking for a program to follow, "The Firm" has some awesome videos. They combine weights and aerobics in the same video, so you get the best of both worlds. I have 3, 5, & 10lb dumbells. If I want 8lbs, I hold the 5 & 3 at the same time. They are great for beginner to intermediate excercisers. They do have a few dvds that are more for advanced excercisers which I love too. You can get their dvds at Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, etc. for like $9 ea.

That is not lifting heavy. I use nothing less then 25 pounds dumbbells.

Ok, so who would think 3 - 10 lbs was heavy? Anyways........the point is that you don't have to lift heavy in order to lift. You can get a great workout and build muscle just fine using smaller weight. When I read posts on the forums here it gives people starting out the idea that unless you lift heavy weight then you aren't really doing anything. It sounds like if you don't have a huge weight set at home or go to the gym then you may as well not try. It also gets to be some ridiculous contest to see how much you can lift.

I was suggesting that series for people who posted that they don't know where to begin. That to me is a good way to introduce yourself to weights. They are using lighter weights during the cardio segments and the 10+ during the sculpting segments. They max out at 12+ reps.

Congratulations on only using 25lbs or heavier. That's great, good for you. This however isn't a contest and I see too many people on here scared to lift anything because they think if they aren't lifting like that then they aren't doing it right.
If more people realized that it is actually ok to lift lighter weights at higher reps then maybe they wouldn't be so scared of bulking up and actually give it a try.

Well have fun with the barbie weights LOL People want results for the time they put in. They best way to have the bang for your buck it is to lift heavy. Why waste you time doing something that is not efficient? Women can't bulk up, we are lacking testosterone. In the last months since I started lifting heavy, I have lost many inches all over my body, lost fat, eat more then I ever did since I started MFP. What made the difference is lifting heavy. Sorry if my comment offended you but we are stronger then we think!!!

ering - Thank you for sharing the DVD suggestion.
I think you are right, there seem to be many members that are intimidated by the heavier weights. Most likely they don't want to be laughed at or ridiculed for starting light, and it would be a shame if this deterred them from starting a practice they could really benefit from.

I like my Barbie weights. They are perfect for my current goals and level of strength.

Well have fun with the barbie weights LOL People want results for the time they put in. They best way to have the bang for your buck it is to lift heavy. Why waste you time doing something that is not efficient?

yanicka - I don't consider it wasted time, and how I choose to spend my time isn't really anyone else's concern. I'm patient. I don't need immediate results.

if you can have results you want in 1 month instead of 6 without any negative impact, why would you not go for it? I am not being snarky, I just do not get it.

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ering - Thank you for sharing the DVD suggestion.
I think you are right, there seem to be many members that are intimidated by the heavier weights. Most likely they don't want to be laughed at or ridiculed for starting light, and it would be a shame if this deterred them from starting a practice they could really benefit from.

I like my Barbie weights. They are perfect for my current goals and level of strength.
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At least someone got what I was trying to say. :flowerforyou: