If you're a woman and you like to work out, you've probably heard this admonition, right? "Don't lift heavy weights unless you want to bulk up." However, nothing could be further from the truth. A personal trainer DC-based fitness expert tells us exactly what DOES happen when women lift weights -- and why it's absolutely not possible for women to bulk up when they do lift heavy weights.
How come it's not possible for women to develop the kind of muscle men do simply by lifting heavy weights?
One reason is that the levels of testosterone hormone in men and women are not the same. The only difference is that women have only 15 to 20 times less the amount of testosterone hormone than men. But this difference is enough to keep women from building the kind of bulky muscles that men can. That is why it is absolutely fine if women lift heavy weights assuming that their health and physical strength supports this.
What DOES happen when women lift heavy weights?
Women will not develop bulk muscle but instead will only get toned even if they lift weights, the reason being that they possess small amounts of testosterone in their body. So they get to build all of the muscles without having to keep the mass.
* More sets and repetitions lead to development of muscle bulk; however women restrict themselves to lesser repetitions.
When guys get into weightlifting, they will often do lots of reps at high weights. Women in general do considerably less, which builds strength but not "volume."
* Heavy weights build strength, not size.
Women get strength and not bulk muscle by lifting weights. Women get muscle strength and neurological improvement because while lifting weights the nervous system is stressed as much as the muscles, but there is no increase in the size.
* There are several benefits which women derive from lifting heavy weights.
Now that all your doubts regarding weightlifting and bulk in women have been clarified, you have every reason to take up lifting heavy weights, provided your health and physical conditions allow it.
Lifting heavy weights has several benefits, so you are doing yourself more harm than good by keeping away from heavy weights. It improves your muscle strength and also ensures that connective tissues and bones become stronger. This helps you in dealing with health issues that occur with old age like osteoporosis. - 31828
How come it's not possible for women to develop the kind of muscle men do simply by lifting heavy weights?
One reason is that the levels of testosterone hormone in men and women are not the same. The only difference is that women have only 15 to 20 times less the amount of testosterone hormone than men. But this difference is enough to keep women from building the kind of bulky muscles that men can. That is why it is absolutely fine if women lift heavy weights assuming that their health and physical strength supports this.
What DOES happen when women lift heavy weights?
Women will not develop bulk muscle but instead will only get toned even if they lift weights, the reason being that they possess small amounts of testosterone in their body. So they get to build all of the muscles without having to keep the mass.
* More sets and repetitions lead to development of muscle bulk; however women restrict themselves to lesser repetitions.
When guys get into weightlifting, they will often do lots of reps at high weights. Women in general do considerably less, which builds strength but not "volume."
* Heavy weights build strength, not size.
Women get strength and not bulk muscle by lifting weights. Women get muscle strength and neurological improvement because while lifting weights the nervous system is stressed as much as the muscles, but there is no increase in the size.
* There are several benefits which women derive from lifting heavy weights.
Now that all your doubts regarding weightlifting and bulk in women have been clarified, you have every reason to take up lifting heavy weights, provided your health and physical conditions allow it.
Lifting heavy weights has several benefits, so you are doing yourself more harm than good by keeping away from heavy weights. It improves your muscle strength and also ensures that connective tissues and bones become stronger. This helps you in dealing with health issues that occur with old age like osteoporosis. - 31828
About the Author:
Josef Brandenburg is an award winning DC personal trainer. His clients count on him to help them get the bodies they want in their spare time and without being hungry or eating nasty food. Click here to find out more about his 7-Day Free Trial.
