To think some women could lift heavier in the gym?

Why do an exercise that may or may not have benefits that outweigh the risks? It seems to me a foolish risk to take.

This is a specific activity, not any old activity.

But by all means enjoy springing about now. May be less enjoyable later.

Comments like this really don’t help either.

yes any sort of physical activity will pose some injury risk but on the whole the benefits will outweigh the risks.

it often seems whatever exercise people
say they do it’s met by some with “buts” rather than support.

No not if you build up to it properly and learn to land softly. You’re jumping on a plyo box not a rigid box. And “bad knees” are often a consequence of weak muscles that are not supporting the joint adequately.

I'm not sure why it matters. That's what they want to do and you do what you want to do.

Box jumping...

Say goodbye to your good knees in the future.

Agree. I've just had three very close together back to back csections in the past 2 and a half years. And my first was very traumatic (baby twins didn't make it out of the NICU) I'm planning to get back training but my body just isn't the same and tbh training is more for my mental health too. Even just getting dressed into gym gear, moving and being out with other people is a goal for me. I've been lucky to have two children since they died but losing my twins the way I did has impacted me. The thought that strangers in a class or gym might judge me for not trying hard enough freaks me out. I already feel self conscious enough about my postpartum body. I wont be using heavy weights or dripping with sweat coming out but what it does for me is lowers my anxiety, and stress, I feel happier, and cry less some days. That's a win for me. I'd never look around and assume people aren't trying. No one in the classes or gyms that I've gone to in the past two and a half years know about my twin boys or what happened. So how the Op can assume that everyone in her class all have the same goals is beyond me. I'd just hope other people would be too focused on their own training to take notice of mine.

Being active in life definitely confers benefits in later life. But PP is right that the specific benefits for bone density are related to lifting heavy weights rather than Pilates or walking.

All of the women on the paternal side of my family developed osteoporosis in later life. All of these women without exception lead healthy, active lives. They all walked loads, rode bikes, did lots of gardening etc. But none of them lifted heavy weights. They all developed osteoporosis in their 70s and all ended up with severely hunched posture (and daily pain, of course). Given the genetic patterns of the disease, I am lifting heavy weights in the hope that I will fare a bit better than my Grandma and my aunties. 🤞

Clearly some women on this thread have seen incredible transformations to their physique and physical abilities due to heavy lifting. That’s great and I am very happy for you.

However it’s always presented as if there is no downside, but in order to avoid injury you need a strong core and excellent form, particularly as you increase weights significantly. I agree that I would likely get more muscle through weightlifting than from my regular Bodypump class, but having a recurring neck/shoulder injury and a fairly weak core means I am nervous of doing anything that may stop me exercising for months and causing pain,plus I enjoy what I do currently and have seen some modest improvements.

However this thread has done some good. I was coasting in my Bodypump class so this morning I upped the weights for a few tracks. Meant I had to miss a few reps but that’s overall still improvement, so thank you I guess to the judgy OP.

I don’t understand this, not being facetious, I have cognitive issues. Are you being sarcastic? Please could you précis in layperson terms? I am disabled with muscles and bone affected so would like to understand

These stories about fit and healthy elderly parents are great. I’m glad to hear it. But as evidence that you don’t need to do any strength training, they are just anecdotal. Like the “my gran smoked 40 a day for 70 years and died peacefully in her sleep at 102, so I don’t believe smoking is bad for you”. Lovely stories, but just that, stories.

Let me tell you my story. 18 months ago, I could hardly get up and down stairs because of arthritis in my knees. After 18 months of guided and consistent strength training, I am now pain-free and doing all sorts of things like box jumping, running, spin classes, lifting heavy and positively running up and down stairs. I will advocate for strength training till I am blue in the face.

My mum has always been incredibly strong, balanced and supple becuase of daily yoga. She has never set foot in a gym in her life or lifted weights (apart from being able to lift heavy things around the house quite easily that no one else in the house can do)

She's too old and ill now unfortunately to carry it on but in her late 80s she has only fallen over once when she was shopping with me about 10 years ago. Thank you Home Bargains for your terrible layout!!

My parents are in their early 80’s. They spend the spring and summer at their home on the Belgian coast. Every morning they go for a walk on the beach and then meet friends for a coffee. Neither have ever set foot in a gym but are fit and healthy.

Sounds lovely - a coffee is always a part of my routine

I've been to the gym this morning and lifted weights ranging from 10k to 35kg, then I did some squats and some core exercises, then I walked five miles in the sunshine and had a really nice coffee. Now I feel great and am going to give myself the gift of staying offline for the rest of the day 😅

We should be cheering for everyone who is getting up and being active to the best of their current ability. If that’s a 5 minute walk great if it’s the worlds strongest women also great.

I think it depends on what class you’re at.

For example, I go to a Body Pump once a week. I also weight train in the gym. I use much heavier weights in the gym than I do at Body Pump, for various reasons - I do sets and reps in the gym which are controlled and much heavier - focusing on form etc. For example I weigh 57KG and can barbell squat 51KG (which I have worked my way up to). During Body Pump I squat with about 15KG. This is because you are doing in excess of 100 squats for the whole length of a song.

I did a Body Pump class last week which included about 30 “clean and presses”. Increased my weight and then hurt both shoulders which took a week to clear up. This is because the rep count was too high for a heavier weight. I won’t be making that mistake again.

There are women in my class who use heavier weights than me, but I’m the only person (men included) who are doing tricep dips with my legs out straight. Everyone has different strengths/goals/body composition, so there’s usually a reason for it.

Makes me realise what it must be like for men if this is what what the women are like about weights.

You have no idea if they have injuries. I go to strength classes and have a permanent injury. I go to the classes to tone up and to hopefully keep my body moving as I age.
We all lift different weights.
We do have someone like you at the classes who has to have the biggest weight then huffs and puffs the whole class, can't gently put the weights down. Gives others the side eye. Lifting a weight too heavy and 'powering through' actually causes damage, it doesn't build muscle or strength.

I'm also seeing on the other side of it there's judgement towards women who are fit, lift weights and have a physique that other women describe as unattractive, unfeminine or undesirable (ie visible muscle). That's what I look like. I was judged when I was overweight and unfit and now I'm judged as a slim, fit woman who lifts and has done fitness racing. I don't particularly care, other women's opinions of what I look like are of no consequence to me and the idea that I'm going to change the way I train because Jane at the gym who I barely know thinks my shoulders are masculine looking or whatever is laughable, and if I overheard Jane she'd be told to keep her bitchy comments to herself. But it does affect some people.

Women can't win really can we? And we're our own worst enemies. Get fit and other women sneer at how you look or make assumptions about what kind of person you are. Stay unfit and other women sneer at you for that. Try and get a bit fitter and other women sneer at you for not making enough effort.

New strength training converts are so annoying. I’ve never heard long distance runners slagging off people who run 5k.

I have been strength training over the last 3 years or so and I have plateaued on the level of weights I have been using. I may or may not move up to heavier weights as I continue training. But if I just continue to maintain my good level of strength while listening to podcasts and getting my heart pumping who gives a fuck? A lot of strength trainers are in it to burn a few calories and maintain strength to improve longevity. We don’t all want to enter power lifting competitions.

@Bridgercam I do Pilates and weights, I frequently feel I’ve worked my muscles harder in Pilates, pure body weight, planks, push ups etc, than from the weights. I agree with a lot of what you say.

I’m much stronger now I am in my 50s than I was in my 40s. When I was walking a lot and doing Pilates. The weights have helped. I’m certainly not bulky!

the strongest I’ve been was in my late 20s and early 30s when I regularly went climbing, outside and at a climbing gym….pure body weight.

I do pilates-based strength training using body weight resistance. It has significantly increased my strength and given me visible muscles.

Not all ‘strength-building’ exercise involves weights, although I know that’s the traditional description of it. And some women DO build an unwanted amount of muscle even with small weights. I’m one of them.

Some women who lift heavy like to peddle the opinion that you can’t protect your bones and build muscle just with body weight exercise, but I am living proof that they’re wrong!

OP, your last sentence there finally hits it on the head:

Some things other people do are just a MYSTERY.

And unless you’re happy to go up to everyone you meet and ask them why they’re not doing things the exact way you would, part of life is accepting that sometimes we just. Don’t. Know.

Your ‘curiosity’ isn’t curiosity - it’s judgement dressed up.

Maybe you’d be happier working out alone?

I agree. I’ve had a personal trainer for nearly 30 years - I lack motivation so the PT keeps me on track and accountable. However I still go to gym classes because they are fun - I see friends, have a chat, show off a new haircut and meet up for a coffee after class. Everything doesn’t have to be a competition and challenging.