In the Washington Post a few months ago there was an article featuring women and kettlebells. I like how a mainstream newspaper such as the Post is spreading the word about this awesome fitness tool.
More about kettlebells and what they can do for your fitness goals later.
I just wish more mainstream media would talk about women tossing around heavy weight, and not getting big! The magazine Oxygen does a pretty good job at encouraging heavy lifting and isn’t afraid to show models with some non-manly muscle, but can get a bit repetitive at times. This article talks about women lifting up to 25 lbs, and last year, personal trainer and gym-owner Jackie Warner (from the show Workout) talked about women starting with 9 lbs and only using up to 18 lbs.
Really?
You wouldn’t find athletes lifting light weights. You won’t look like an athlete or get fit by lifting light. Can’t “tone” what you don’t have, and you have to build some muscle before you can get that lean, athletic look.
We want to build muscle. More muscle burns more calories. More calories burned equals more weight lost.
See the connection?
Really boost your workout program by changing up how much you lift and the repetition range. There are times when light weights are warranted, especially if you are a true beginner and are just learning the movements of the exercises. However, after about 3-4 weeks, which is the time it takes for your body to adapt to a new movement, it’s time to add more weight.
You won’t get bulky unless you’re *ahem* supplementing your activities or taking an extremely disciplined approach to become a natural bodybuilder, but I doubt any of you are doing that. Balancing your strength routine with a cardio program (which you should be doing anyway) will also prevent you from getting bulky.
When are we going to accept that for women, lifting heavy weight does not equal bulky bodies?
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great post ,thanks for you
December 11, 2008 at 7:16 pm
DNLee
Welcome tp YBPGuide. Thanks for the health and fitness advice. I appreciate it.
December 11, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Jessica
Thanks for reading and for that warm welcome
December 11, 2008 at 10:01 pm
gib
not a woman, but got turned on to kettle bells during a”bootcamp” class a few years ago. look forward to hearing more about that. welcome!!!!!!
December 12, 2008 at 9:18 am
ladyday93
Even if a woman obtains a “bulky body” as a result-so what? I'd rather be bulky because of muscle than not.
December 12, 2008 at 9:26 am
Jessica
Kettlebells are an awesome tool, and I'll be blogging about them soon! Thanks for the welcome.
I, too, would rather be bulky from muscle, but the problem a lot of women have with muscle is that they feel it makes them look manly (which it doesn't). If they look manly, they feel they would not be attractive to men, which for some people, is one of the most important things in their lives…
December 12, 2008 at 11:17 am
Thoney Gangstasweet
great post again! i used to be quite heavy and got “slim” by lifting light weights. i had a student trainer at wiu encourage the heavier weights and i definitely see the difference! don't be afraid of upping the ante! i am not manly and i love the fact that i can lift my groceries with ease or tackle otherwise showstopping tasks w/o assistance.
December 17, 2008 at 9:12 am
Jessica
Thanks TG. You sound like my clients after about a month working with me. People lose so much weight from weight training with heavy weight and leaving the pink dumbbells alone.
December 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm
bryantieghe
Great coverage on this – we need to hear more about how women are just as capable of weightlifting and can build muscle fast too. Thank you!
January 18, 2009 at 12:52 am
MizzMocha
Oh, wow. I never knew that! Thanks for the post.
January 30, 2009 at 7:20 am
wishnew
good technique, its more better than consume a diet pills or something similar
February 18, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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