Why are so many women scared to lift weights?

I hear allot of women mistakenly complain that weight training will make them bulk up and look like a man. It's simple biology and common sense that it's incredible difficult to bulk up and gain so much muscle that you look like Mr Universe. We just don't have enough testosterone for that. Plus it's 1 of the easiest ways to lose weight and keep it off.








The benefits of weight training include


A healthier hart, raised metabolism that burns extra calories long after you've stopped working out, strength, bone density and protects against bone diseases, firms up saggy skin, makes your skin look more youthful and tones you up.





So why are women so scared to lift weights?





http://female.bodybuildbid.com/training/...

Why are so many women scared to lift weights?
You are right Pheno, I have asked this question myself.





Personally, I believe the waif Paris Hilton look is over emphasized in women. I've encountered many women with reservations about picking up weights, fearing their arms will look "too manly". You are also right that women don't have enough testosterone naturally to hulk out.





Many women are strict about only cardio. Though I am not a personal trainer, I understand that cardio does burn calories and increase endurance but it doesn't increase all levels of endurance. Additionally, lifting weights tones the muscles, reduces body fat and makes the muscles stronger, DECREASING THE RISK OF INJURY (when done properly of course).





Hopefully, the fitness craze will become more mainstream and female fitness types (less muscular than bodybuilding) can show the world that women have retained their beauty, while gaining some beautiful lean muscle. I do like fbbs but I have to be realistic and hope the fitness type women gain larger acceptance. Plus, there is no nonsense about roids.





Lastly, women should lift weights if they want to lift weights and not worry about what men or other women think.
Reply:You tell me. I'm not scared to lift weights.
Reply:Well Men don't like it if their woman can lift more than them. Its our ego and hella buffed women in my opinion just don't look good.
Reply:I'm not. I work out for an hour daily and I can lift my bodyweight easily. =)
Reply:Perhaps it's just the type of woman?





If a woman says that, and that really is there reason, then I suppose they just don't understand. And if they really fear that, then it's like any other fear, and may take time to get over. Maybe no one's told them that, and they've seen pictures of bulky female body builders? I think it depends on the woman.
Reply:because of what you just said. most girls think omgg if i life one weight im going to be a muscular freak. in reality that takes a lot of hardwork and dedication if you really want to build up a ton of muscle. so girls shouldnt be scared to life weights once in a while to tone arms.
Reply:I just don't enjoy the weight room very much. It's usually a room full of sweating men making noises while staring at themselves in the mirror. Not usually many if any women in the room, just uncomfortable unless I have a work-out buddy with me.
Reply:Personally, I don't lift weights because it's hard and i'm lazy, but my sister lifts a lot because she is a discus/shot put thrower. I'm not scared but i don't want to end up looking like a man.
Reply:I'm not afraid. I am 14. I can lift about 50 pounds on this type of machine:





http://www.incredibody.com/images/powerl...





I beat most of the girls at my school. I don't have to worry about bulking up because my body just doesn't gain any muscle matter... so I'm ok, but I personally find muscles ugly on men and women/
Reply:Because they can't lift it





corsair_82@yahoo.com
Reply:Use of a term like scared to lift weights suggests you have not checked with a lot of women and found them scared.





What they are is unimpressed with the claims made for the activity. They do not see any statistics demonstrating longer life. Come to think of it, they do not see as much difference in bone density from lifting weights as they do from being overweight. Any cardiovascular benefits appear to be as readily obtained by running or swimming.





Scared to lift weights may be your perception, but I do not see this as a motivator.
Reply:becuase they dont want to gain as much muscle as us becuase they think it will make them unattractive if they lift one wight and automatically gain muscles. i means its okay to lift wieghts but they think they would look like arnold with a girl face and looks ugly
Reply:I think you're absolutely correct and it's sad. In some ways, women benifit more from strength training than men do, especially with the possibility of ailments like osteoperosis looming.





I think there are several reasons why women are put off by the idea of weight lifting. Many believe they'll gain manly muscles from lifting weights. They are often told by partners, parents, society or peers that having any lean muscle at all is undesirable, unfeminine and even unhealthy. Many are intimidated by a male dominated weight room, especially if they're the only female there. These are why I admire women who take it upon themselves to go anyway, especially those who find success in it. That and personally I am most physically attracted to female athletes.





Of course, all of the reasons I stated above are ultimately bogus but in their minds are legitimate concerns. It takes courage to rise above these obstacles, and I'm sure if guys had similar obstacles they would have a hard time with it as well.





To donfletcheryh's post above, the benifits of strength trianing for women are well documented in legitimate scientific journals. Just because you haven't seen them doesn't mean they don't exist.
Reply:because they are stupid and probably think that they will snap a vain or sumtin.
Reply:No one thinks that lifting weights will make women look EXACTLY like Mr. Universe. But they think it will push them in that direction. And that's not a good direction for a woman to go, even if they only go a small distance in that direction.
Reply:I am not..I own a bowflex...