Confusion about how heavy to go?

[masey09]

Hi ladies,

I always thought you had to lift to your max? I recently purchased Jen Hendershott's at home training DVDs and she was using 8lbs for chest press exercise. She said this is the amount of weight she regularly uses and that you dont have to go heavy.

Her body is my ideal figure - I feel like I am training wrong now??

Any comments ladies?

Ta

[Miranda]

two things spring to mind:

1. are you physically on the same level as JH who's been training for decades and is possibly chemically enhanced? if not, don't train the way she does.

2. you bought a commercial product aimed at a mass audience probably terrified of 'heavy' weights. iow - JH is telling people what they want to hear.

[sonti]

First Jennifer Nicole Lee's Ab circle, now Hendershott using 8lb dumbbells for chest press??

LOL, that is unfortunate. What a load of tripe.

[masey09]

First Jennifer Nicole Lee's Ab circle, now Hendershott using 8lb dumbbells for chest press??

LOL, that is unfortunate. What a load of tripe.

Thanks guys :) I feel like ive been lied to ;)

[juliacheh]

I feel like it's a common trend now to sell BS to people because they are scared of free weights and getting bulky. Like, I am following Chad Waterbury's male program right now for size, which is pretty reasonable. However, the same guy compiled several female "sexy training" work-outs with ridiculously light weights, bands and isolation movements.
People wish to be ignorant, that's why even competent coaches start accommodating their requests.

[Danceruk]

3.6kg???

..agreed..aimed at commercial market..

thats a mad light amount.. you would carry home groceries heavier than that 5 miles!!

[nextsuperhero]

Wouldn't a super buff chick saying she only uses 8 lb dbs scare even MORE women away from lifting any kind of weight?
Most already think they'll look like Hendershot if they lift heavy, now the rest are gonna think they'll look like her if they lift light!

[soccersenior]

I've always seen the JH adds in mags, and felt she was too commercialized/fake. Now I've lost even more respect for her.

[Zenree]

Can someone explain to me HOW the myth started that touching a weight that isn't a color of the rainbow, will turn you into Arnold's sister???

I mean, come on! Most of us on this site throw around ALOT of weight and can barely see gains (speaking for myself, of course LOL) after months of proper nutrition AND heavy lifting...yet the uninformed novice thinks that stepping into the "free weight" area of a gym is going to bulk them up.......srsly? wtf?

[juliacheh]

Can someone explain to me HOW the myth started that touching a weight that isn't a color of the rainbow, will turn you into Arnold's sister???

I mean, come on! Most of us on this site throw around ALOT of weight and can barely see gains (speaking for myself, of course LOL) after months of proper nutrition AND heavy lifting...yet the uninformed novice thinks that stepping into the "free weight" area of a gym is going to bulk them up.......srsly? wtf?

I have to tell you that as much as I agree with you, a lot of women only want to be skinny and fit into a certain pair of pants. They don't know squat about body composition and being skinny fat.
They do not want any muscle, even Jilliam Michaels is too muscular in their book. I was told many times that my arms and shoulders are too big. WTF, I am trying to develop my shoulders and lats to create a more balanced body, and apparently all I should care about is having a tiny petite physique which I will never have, since I am naturally mesomorphic.
I have only met one woman in real life who is lifting, and this is only because her husband is lifting too and encouraging her to lift weights. Other women that I know are just cardio bunnies or don't exercise at all.
Women on this board, though they have different goals, are in the minority. Sad, but true...

[Thuirwyne]

I made the mistake of purchasing a magazine that used to have decent info for natural trainess...then I read an article that basically advised if you're a woman who is bottom heavy, don't use any weight for your lower body. If you are a woman who has broad shoulders, don't do any resistance exercises for your upper body. If you are overweight, stick to cardio.

This was from a man listed as a CPT, who also happens to be a security guard? I threw it away.

[bull.dogz]

What a load of crap....I'm all for go hard and heavy or go home!!!

[push_it]

^^ X 1000 :D:D Repped :D:D