To think some women could lift heavier in the gym?

I’m in the throes of breast cancer treatment, 5 weeks post lumpectomy and reconstruction. Been thinking about joining a gym as I head into radiotherapy and hormone blockers which will reduce my bone density. Attitudes like this make me determined to find an inclusive gym. You’ve no idea what people are going through physically,

Lifting 2kg week after week is clearly not making an effort. Good for those doing it as a social thing, but it's a waste of time and money to go to a strength class and only to lift 2kg every week. You can just use the treadmill and do some light stuff on the machines if that's your thing.

Anyone put off by someone pointing out that you need to put some effort in if you choose to do strength training isn't going to benefit much from going to the gym to do those classes anyway. No one else is responsible if you decide not to work out.

I do similar weights sessions to the OP. I did an extra, one-off class at the gym all about progressive overload, and how to approach it - so increasing reps, the weight, or improving form, such as performing deeper squats or increasing time under tension.

I found that class literally life changing - it totally changed the way I approach strength workouts.

On the one hand I wish they’d run that class more often, so more gym members can learn. But then at the same time, if people aren’t interested (for all the various reasons) in building up their workouts, then they probably won’t want to go to that class.

I avoid any food or drink for at least 2 hours before taking the tablet and at least 30 minutes after. I also stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the tablet. So I take it at about 10pm and go to bed sometime after 10:30.

I hope this helps.

I don’t think it is any of your business in all honesty! Not everyone wants to build muscle! As several people have said, more reps and less weight is better for toning. I work out a minimum of 12 hours a week and I do that because a) I enjoy it and b) I need to tighten the loose skin after losing 6 stone. I don’t use heavy weights (2kg max) because I dont want to build muscle. Please do not judge people on what you are achieving because everyone is different. Plus I don’t particularly want to look like Arnold Swazenegars (no idea how to spell it!) sister!

🤷🏻‍♀️ Maybe that's all they're after.

I really don't see why it should matter to anyone else.

I just think it's great that women are lifting weights at all.

Honestly though 2kg is a physio weight, not a workout weight.

Yeah, I hear you. Tone actually refers to how 'switched on' a muscle is by the nervous system. It has nothing to do with muscle shape, size, density etc. There are a lot of fitness myths that refuse to die (especially re female training) which is a bit of a shame. It takes many years of dedicated training for women to even remotely look bulky. I'm having a bulk at the moment and do look quite 'big' but when I cut down again I'll look lean and athletic again.

Some people aren’t allowed to lift heavy weights due to various conditions. Keep your focus on your own technique.

Havent read the whole thread

You sound weird.

Firstly 8kg really isnt strong so I suggest you get off whatever high horse you are on and focus on yourself istead of other people. I'm stronger than most men in my gym let alone women and quite frankly I don't care, it isnt the flex you think it is. Everyone is at different levels, different strengths and has different things going on in their lives. The main thing is that you turn up, they turned up and they're moving whether they life 2kg or 20kg. You go to the gym to improve yourself, try improving your personality too :-)

Concentrate on yourself. I can deadlift 135kg. Today I did 60 for 5 reps. It was a de-load. Perhaps anyone watching thought I was a lazy slacker. So what. I might do the same if I’m tired, carrying an injury or if I’ve already trained that muscle very recently in a compound move. I’m certainly not watching what you’re doing.

Yeah you're right OP.

Women can always do far more than they are currently doing, the lazy bastards...

This. 💯

It’s hard for women to build muscle. “toning” just means that there’s very little body fat covering whatever muscle is there.

And as we age, we lose a scary amount of muscle if we don’t challenge our body’s capacities.

Muscle grows by being pushed to failure. Then when you rest, the muscle rebuilds itself but stronger and thicker. And more muscle mass burns more calories and allows you to build more.

So that when you’re 80 you can stop yourself from falling, or get yourself up off the floor if you do stumble.

Wow. Up yourself much? Mind your business

Yeah, I go to a small group weights class, the instructor corrects form, it’s bar bells, squats, arm work etc.

How about you mind your own business. No wonder people don’t want to go to the gym when there’s busybodies like you sticking your nose in to other people’s business.

If you are so focused on tracking what multiple women are doing whilst you’re in the gym, over a six month period, I’d wager you’re not pushing yourself hard enough either 🤷🏻‍♀️

You also sound like an utter creep too, stop looking so closely at what women are doing, it’s grim!

But that's exactly what toning is, surely - building and then maintaining just enough muscle mass that it's subtly visible, without it growing too much. Any weight provides more resistance than no weight, so I don't get this argument. It's still worthwhile exercise.

Surely there is an in between way from teeny tiny weights to lifting hard and heavy every time. This is the bit I don’t understand, as presumably any weight bearing exercise is better than none for keeping strong in latter years.

Unless someone has been hiding under a rock for the last 10-20 years, they know that heavy lifting is unlikely to turn them into Arnold Schwarznegger, but still - incomprehensibly to some - we don’t do it. My answer is simply I find the gym a bit boring so I am unlikely to keep going with it. Yes I do know that 3 weight lifting sessions per week in the gym is likely to be better for me than 2-3 bodypump sessions and a weekly parkrun, but these are activities that I enjoy so am happy to schedule into my weekly routine. I only go to the gym consistently when I have a personal trainer and it’s just too expensive for me on a regular basis.

I’m 68, lift heavy weights and can’t see anyone around me in the gym for the sweat in my eyes. It’s an effective way to help me mind my own business.

WHY won't this myth die?
Toning is not a thing.
It was sold to women decades ago to lure them to gym while ensuring them that they can still remain teeny tiny and suitably fragile and feminine.

"Toned" means you have muscles and low body fat. You build muscles by lifting weights that challenge your muscles, not flapping around with tiny pink dumbbells that offer no resistance.

I don’t think you deserved some of these responses for asking the question - i read it as curiosity rather than malice. It’s fair to wonder about patterns you notice, especially when you’re working really hard yourself.

At the same time, i think it’s very difficult to judge effort from the outside. Some people may be managing injuries (as you mentioned) , anxiety, pain, postpartum recovery, form, confidence, or just have different goals for the class. People can show effort very differently too - i look like I'm wrestling demons, and that's just the warm-up lol

I agree that some women underestimate their strength (especially if they’ve been socialised to avoid being “bulky” ) and encouragement can be really powerful, but It's not always that lighter weights mean lack of effort or belief..

Everyone’s body, goals and limits are different. So it could maybe be less "they aren't trying" and perhaps more "they could have a lot that's going on that isn't visible"

Seriously, I think it’s great that you’re pushing yourself and feeling strong!!

It can be very hard on the stomach, especially if you already have any stomach issues. I took alendronic acid for three years. Religiously following the full glass of water / staying upright rules. It was ok at first but after I took ibuprofen around the same time my stomach just got worse and worse. I now have annual infusions.