Myth: Weightlifting Makes Women Bulky
Perhaps no other fitness myth is more pervasive and insulting to women than the myth that lifting weights makes women bulky. I have been told this many times by many prospective female clients. They usually tell me they don't want to get bulky as they let their eyes travel over my shoulders and onto my belly. Yep, I have visible muscles and I DON'T have 6-pack abs. But, I have a 300 lb deadlift, I won the 2019 Pan American and World Masters Olympic Weightlifter Champions in my age and weight class and I'm 51. I don't give a flying fuck if any one thinks I'm bulky. But, it's been a long road to get here:)
I could write 1,000 blog posts on the bulky issue because there are so many different points to address. However, today I will focus on just one: "What the hell is bulky anyway?" Leigh Peel researched this very question and found that the majority of her 2000 research subjects identified Hillary Swank's Million Dollar Baby physique as too bulky. â
To get to 16% or less body fat takes a TREMENDOUS amount of work! So much so that very few women actually get this low. Getting this low also has some profound hormonal and other physiological impacts.
Here's the big fat bulky deal. Weightlifting will make you strong. It will make you burn more calories which increases your metabolism. Weightlifting will increase your bone density decreasing your risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures. It will make you powerful. Being strong will make it easier to carry your kids, your groceries, your skis, your bike, your kayak, your everything. At our gym we lift weights and no one is bulky. In fact, we probably lift heavier weights that Hillary Swank and none of us look like her. We all look like the best version of the strong, confident, and powerful women that we are.
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