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She-Hulk – Will I get bulky?

This is follow up to  “How much should I lift?” from last week. I totally understand the fear of bulking up.  It wasn’t long ago I didn’t think muscles were attractive on women.  Or at least that’s what I said. Now I flex my bicep in the mirror when I brush my teeth!  But to answer the question NO you WILL NOT get “bulky” and you will NOT look like a man.  It takes a lot of effort and time to build muscles. Not too mention, genetic gifting if you really want to (naturally) build some serious muscles.  It’s just not that easy.  Women simply don’t have enough testorone to bulk up.  For some women even pictures of figure competitors are too muscular and they shy away from lifting heavy.  We each have our own aesthetic opinions but don’t let those pictures keep you from lifting heavy.  Most figure competitors don’t look nearly as muscular when they are not on stage but have tight tiny bodies that look really good in swimsuits and jeans.

You want to build muscle because the more muscle you have the more calories you’ll burn, even when you are zoned out in front of the television. Building muscles help prevent injuries. Building muscles relieve joint stress.  Buidling muscles promotes graceful aging.  Building muslces decreases risks of coronary disease.  Building muscles is one of the best ways to prevent bone diseases. There is an older woman who works out regularly at my gym. One time we were talking I mentioned something about age and she told me she was 75.  My jaw dropped to the ground because she looked and acted at least 20 years younger.  I asked her what she did and she said “this” motioning to the weights.  She said she has always made strength training a priority in her life. I’ve watched her lift before and she lifts some serious weight.  She’s been doing it for over 50 years and she doesn’t look anywhere close to She-Hulk.  She’s petite and defined, like a retired Wonder Woman.  More importantly she is energetic and she said her doctors told her she had the bone density of a 25 year old.  So if you are sticking to the 1 pound dumbbells because you’re afraid of getting bulking “lift” assured that you won’t bulk up but you’ll be improving your health and appearance. And if by chance you are a genetically gifted women who builds muscle really easily you can always lighten up if you feel like you are looking too cut.  But don’t tell me.  I’ve been working really hard to try and build muscle on my upper body and it’s a very s-l-o-w process.  No worries about turning into She-Hulk, most of us will have to work our butts off to look and feel like Super Girl.

xoxo
j

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Tags: women's strength training, women's weight lifting

About jennincat

I'm so happy you stopped by my little corner of the web where I write about fitness, food, and amazing women I "meet". I live in California with my wonderful husband and two rambunctious boys. I'm a personal trainer and dreamer. I enjoy most things but some of my favorites are reading, acting, camping, cooking, music, writing, traveling, and being in the moment with my favorite people! You can read more about me here! I hope you stop by often!
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4 Responses to “She-Hulk – Will I get bulky?”

  1. On January 5, 2013 at 4:34 am G responded with... #

    Shows how stupid women are.

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How much weight should I lift?? | Competing to Lose - May 28, 2009

    […]  Probably because most of the women are lifting 1 pound dumbbells because they are afraid of “getting bulky”. But not us…we know better!  :) Anyhoo use good form so you don’t hurt yourself and […]

  2. GH 101 – Fitness | Girl Heroes - February 10, 2010

    […] Don’t worry about getting bulky. I used to worry about this ENDLESSLY. Frankly, I also used it as an excuse as to why I looked the way I did. After almost 2 years of HEAVY lifting I realize it’s just not going to happen.  I won’t get bulky because I don’t have the testosterone needed to build large muscles. My biceps have actually shrunk to 10″ in circumference despite my best efforts to grow them. If this is a concern, I understand, but please trust me unless you are genetically inclined to build muscle easily you won’t be bulking up. […]

  3. Gwyneth Paltrow and The Tracey Anderson Method | Girl Heroes - July 3, 2012

    […] bothers me the most was that this aired on Oprah and millions of women, who or may not know that strength training doesn’t automatically make a woman bulky, have seen it.  Thus, perpetuating the myth that so many women and men who know better are trying […]

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About this article

  • Posted on January 22, 2009
  • Archived in Fitness, Questions
  • There are 4 responses.
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