Should Women Lift Heavy Weights?

[Norrsken]

Why or why not? Please be respectful while stating your opinions and do not bash another person for disagreeing with you or you disagreeing with them.

 

[Xann]

If they want to, of course Heavy is just a state of mind, anyway. By utilizing chi energy focusing techniques women can lift all kinds of ridiculous weight whilst maintaining an elegant feminine figure. And if they should wish to bulk up, that is completely their prerogative. It all depends on their personal aesthetic taste when it comes to their figure as well as fitness goals (Olympics, self-defense, etc.). Taking testosterone boosting drugs/hormones, on the other hand, is another matter entirely, which is far more complicated and which I would potentially take issue with morally condoning due to unforeseeable adverse effects.

 

[Dyslexxie]

Why the hell not? Do whatever makes you happy.

 

[Norrsken]

I say women can do whatever the hell they want with their bodies, provided they do not cause active harm against themselves.

 

[Ivy]

If they want to, of course they should. Everything I've read recently indicates lifting heavy (e.g. something that will fatigue the muscle within 6-8 reps, not a million reps with little 5lb weights) is one of the best things anyone can do for their metabolism and health.

 

[Riva]

Yes they should. Lifting weights in the long run is better than cardio, yoga or cardio-based exercises in the long run.

If gives you muscular structure in ANY place you wish to develop and it provides you with MOST benefits cardio provides (with the exception of endurance).

However, I do believe women should limit the muscles they choose to develop IF they wish to maintain a feminine figure. They could focus on muscle groups such as shoulders, chest, legs (glutes, hamstrings and quads) and a little bit of triceps. Infact by focusing on the said muscle groups they could enhance looks characteristically considered as feminine. Meanwhile muscles groups such as biceps, forearms, lats, traps should be avoided being worked on because they give a bulky manly look.

 

[ceecee]

Women should be doing more weight bearing exercises - The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says so too. Heavy weight - sure. I think the light weight = toning and heavy weight = bulking up thing is a myth anyway.

 

[RedAmazoneFriendZone]

I personally prefer yoga. Every woman should have at least 1 slave to make her day from time to time

Physical exercise should not turn you into a donkey...

 

[Luke O]

I have no problem with this. Especially when you see mums carry armfuls of groceries that some men would struggle with...

 

[citizen cane]

Why shouldn't they?

 

[Norrsken]

Why shouldn't they?

Some weirdos think we shouldn't because bruh. Weight liftin' for boys, yoga for girls. Forget that!

 

[GIjade]

If they want to, of course they should. Everything I've read recently indicates lifting heavy (e.g. something that will fatigue the muscle within 6-8 reps, not a million reps with little 5lb weights) is one of the best things anyone can do for their metabolism and health.

Women can lift whatever they want, but if they have arthritis, IT HURTS! And it has done absolutely nothing for my metabolism. I've been lifting heavy stuff for a long time now and my body is exactly the same as it was before I did it.

 

[Norrsken]

Women can lift whatever they want, but if they have arthritis, IT HURTS! And it has done absolutely nothing for my metabolism. I've been lifting heavy stuff for a long time now and my body is exactly the same as it was before I did it.

Are you eating often? Biggest rule with weight lifting is, if you lift heavy, you gotta eat more calories.

 

[Ivy]

Women can lift whatever they want, but if they have arthritis, IT HURTS! And it has done absolutely nothing for my metabolism. I've been lifting heavy stuff for a long time now and my body is exactly the same as it was before I did it.

Yeah, I mean, I figured it went without saying that if you have some kind of health issue that precludes lifting heavy weights, then you probably won't want to (if by "want to" we mean "decide it's a good idea and pursue it seriously").

 

[ChocolateMoose123]

I mean. Yeah. Why not? I don't even understand the opposition and don't know of anyone who shares it, TBH.

If these are trainers or gym owners - they would be terrible at their jobs. If they are average people? I wouldn't care about their opinion.

 

[nonsequitur]

Yes.

I am a female who lifts heavy (barbell weights), and I have friends who do so. Some of my female friends powerlift too, the other day one of them posted a vid of herself doing 3 reps of 120kg squats. You won't get big if you keep your rep ranges on the low side (under 6 since the "growth" hypertrophic range is 8-12), and you can get very strong. The Accidental Powerlifting World-Record Holder - The New Yorker This 16 year old girl deadlifted 420lb for her age group world record... and does not look bulky at all. THIS is typical.

You might get bulky if you combine high intensity with high rep number PLUS eating a calorie surplus - that's what's happens with the cross-fitters. Some powerlifters also bulk up because the extra mass adds strength, and that's what they're going for. But for most females (like me), heavy lifting just leans you out and adds strength. I tend to put on muscle relatively easily and want to keep fitting my clothes so I adjust my diet based on my goals.

There's a lot of evidence showing the benefits of lifting heavy - better neuroskeletal recruitment, a higher metabolism, staving off osteoporosis, reduction of stress levels, more self-confidence etc. I love lifting because I sleep like a baby after, and it helps me to avoid the skinny fat trap, it helps me develop more endurance (I'm currently on a long-distance running program which gives that problem if you don't lift).

I get obese trainers come up to me the gym to criticise my program and that gets me really mad. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm usually the only female walking up to the free weights area/squat rack. But I have <20% bodyfat and pretty nice definition in some areas (still working on others) so I ignore them.

 

[ceecee]

Yes.

I am a female who lifts heavy (barbell weights), and I have friends who do so. Some of my female friends powerlift too, the other day one of them posted a vid of herself doing 3 reps of 120kg squats. You won't get big if you keep your rep ranges on the low side (under 6 since the "growth" hypertrophic range is 8-12), and you can get very strong. The Accidental Powerlifting World-Record Holder - The New Yorker This 16 year old girl deadlifted 420lb for her age group world record... and does not look bulky at all. THIS is typical.

You might get bulky if you combine high intensity with high rep number PLUS eating a calorie surplus - that's what's happens with the cross-fitters. Some powerlifters also bulk up because the extra mass adds strength, and that's what they're going for. But for most females (like me), heavy lifting just leans you out and adds strength. I tend to put on muscle relatively easily and want to keep fitting my clothes so I adjust my diet based on my goals.

There's a lot of evidence showing the benefits of lifting heavy - better neuroskeletal recruitment, a higher metabolism, staving off osteoporosis, reduction of stress levels, more self-confidence etc. I love lifting because I sleep like a baby after, and it helps me to avoid the skinny fat trap, it helps me develop more endurance (I'm currently on a long-distance running program which gives that problem if you don't lift).

I get obese trainers come up to me the gym to criticise my program and that gets me really mad. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm usually the only female walking up to the free weights area/squat rack. But I have <20% bodyfat and pretty nice definition in some areas (still working on others) so I ignore them.

That is the truth. I hate cardio but lifting, even in the small amount that I do by comparison, has a huge impact. I definitely have to watch my eating though, because it makes me hungry.

 

[nonsequitur]

That is the truth. I hate cardio but lifting, even in the small amount that I do by comparison, has a huge impact. I definitely have to watch my eating though, because it makes me hungry.

If you have some protein (20-30g) + a bit of carbs (~80g) in the 15-30min after lifting it aids recovery and helps stave off crazy hunger later. Some people use chocolate milk, it has the optimal 1:4 ratio for maximum recovery (but is high GI which can increase inflammation) - others cut the carbs completely and just do protein. I usually do protein with some fruit. Immediately after lifting, the carbs get converted into muscle glycogen, which aids your next workout, and not fat. The insulin response can also aid muscle recovery.

 

[ceecee]

If you have some protein (20-30g) + a bit of carbs (~80g) in the 15-30min after lifting it aids recovery and helps stave off crazy hunger later. Some people use chocolate milk, it has the optimal 1:4 ratio for maximum recovery (but is high GI which can increase inflammation) - others cut the carbs completely and just do protein. I usually do protein with some fruit. Immediately after lifting, the carbs get converted into muscle glycogen, which aids your next workout, and not fat. The insulin response can also aid muscle recovery.

I don't usually eat until after - poached egg and a piece of whole wheat toast or the toast with PB and a handful of berries. I've been reading about tart cherry juice. It made me wonder because I've been drinking it forever - I live in west Michigan - Montmorency cherries are everywhere. It tastes wonderful but I never thought about any health benefits, aside from no sugar.

 

[nonsequitur]

I don't usually eat until after - poached egg and a piece of whole wheat toast or the toast with PB and a handful of berries. I've been reading about tart cherry juice. It made me wonder because I've been drinking it forever - I live in west Michigan - Montmorency cherries are everywhere. It tastes wonderful but I never thought about any health benefits, aside from no sugar.

Immediately after the workout is quite a critical time. An egg with 1 slice of whole wheat toast/PB+toast with berries should give you some protein, but it'll definitely be under 10g so you'll probably get hungry quite rapidly after. Tart cherry juice (like most berries) have loads of antioxidants which should promote an anti-inflammatory response. There is an active inflammatory response during exercise (or any form of stress really, which is why it hurts) which the body clears through its own anti-inflammatory mechanisms. During recovery after exercise, the anti-inflammation response also clears your basal levels of inflammation, which is why exercise often helps many, many chronic conditions. Drinking/eating anti-inflammatory foods like tart cherry juice and reducing pro-inflammatory foods like sugar speeds up this process.