Top 5 Female Bodybuilding Misconceptions

Welcome to the Top 5 Female Bodybuilding Misconceptions!

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1) I don’t want to be too bulky

This is one of the most common female bodybuilding misconceptions among women. Many women think that if they weight train they will become bulky and lose their feminine appearance. The truth is women are unable to get bulky because they don’t possess high levels of testosterone. Women will never get the same effect a man gets while weight training without the use of steroids.

2) Women just need high reps and low weights

Although this is partially true, it is false in the sense that women need to be lifting more than pink and purple 2 pound weights. This is simply not enough weight for women to receive any benefit. If you think about it the average purse weighs about 10 pounds and a child is closer to 25 pounds. It would be better to train your muscles to be used to these weights than that of a two pound weight.

3) Running alone is good enough

Most women in the gym tend to avoid the weight training areas and stick to the elliptical machines and treadmills. These women would see much better improvements in their bodies if they trained their muscles in addition to cardio. This is because muscles burn more calories than fat. Also when you lose weight without working your muscles you just become a smaller version of yourself. When you train your muscles you are able to give your body a completely different shape. So if you want a different shape core you need to train those muscles, an elliptical can never help with that!

4) Weight training will decrease my flexibility

It is believed by many women that if they train their muscles they will lose the flexibility they have. Actually, when you complete a routine properly by stretching before and lifting with slow controlled movements you may actually become more flexible. The misconception most likely comes from the tight feeling of muscles after a workout. This can easily be alleviated with proper stretching. Stretching should start and follow any workout routine.

5) If you stop working out, your muscle will turn into fat

Muscle cannot just magically turn into fat. Muscles are made up of individual cells that undergo all kinds of complex metabolic processes. Fat cells are basically just storage packets of lipids. The possibility of one turning into another is similar to your shoe turning into a bus, it couldn’t possibly happen.

This female bodybuilding misconception most likely came about because when you stop training your muscles they adapt to their new environment. This means that when you stop training your muscles, they start to shrink. The shrinking can cause the skin around the muscle area to look fatty. Eventually the skin will even out and everything after that is likely related to lack of exercise.


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