Women and weight training: Myths vs Truth. Does lifting weights make women bulky?

Even after this myth has been busted by anyone and everyone who has any formal training related to exercise and fitness, it still prevails amongst women, especially amongst Indian women. Women refrain from doing any heavy lifting because they think that will make them look “manly”, which is perceived either as too muscular or as too big.

Here’s the thing. Sure, you will gain muscles and *some* hypertrophy. Most women can’t actually pack enough muscles in hypertrophy to look like the bodybuilding competition athletes. Also, it takes years and years of dedicated eating and training to get that physique. And the required fat percentage to compete in bodybuilding competitions is much lower than the recommended healthy fat percentage for an average woman. So unless you are actively working towards a certain aesthetic, you won’t easily get it. Not even if you’re leg pressing 200kg. We’ll give you a minute to let that sink in.

Now when it comes to looking big or manly, you require a *higher* fat percentage. If you control the fat percentage, then you won’t get big. You will, instead, achieve the toned figure that everyone desires. Just look at the fitness influencers around you and you will see how different their physiques are. And shall we remind you that Disha Patani actually leg presses 200kg and still looks the way she does.

Weight training has so many benefits for women that we urge you to take it up ASAP!

Some of the benefits of weight training are:

• More strength to do everyday activities

• More energy in your day

• Better bone and joint health

• Better bone density, which is important because women are prone to osteoporosis as they age

• Better mood, and lesser stress

• More body confidence