Will strength training make me bulky? I get this question from women all the time. I think it is largely fueled by photos of female bodybuilders.

If I could state the answer any more clearly I would but I think I can reduce it to one word: "no."

Women, on average, have 1/10th the testosterone of men. This is more or less the bottom line. The image of huge muscular women that many fear is almost always a drug-fueled aesthetic.

The good news is that women can get much stronger through strength training than they are in their untrained state. This can significantly aid performance as well as making one more resistant to injury.

If you are a highly unusual genetic specimen and find yourself getting truly "bulky" then you can choose to stop training. The training effect does reverse over time.
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note: I first published this article at Derby Conditioning. Have a visit if you are interested in flat track roller derby.

 


Comments

BrandC link
05/01/2009 13:23

I get asked this question alot. It's interesting how people's perception is that they will bulk up if they lift heavy for a short amount of time. If only I were that genetically gifted.

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Al (Admin) link
05/01/2009 15:54

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

I find that the biggest challenge is to communicate and work through this question with women without having them feel that their concerns are being dismissed. It is not simply a matter of explaining the "facts" but addressing the emotions and fears behind the concern. People must be respected and they must feel that respect.

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