What women workout for?

[AJ UK]

Hi Ladies i'm a guy wondering what you women here bodybuild for. Do you do it to get muscly and masculine or to get lean and to become a hottie?

Really curious because i think huge muscly women are sick (no offence to those who do)

[glitterati]

I want to keep my weight in check and be very toned and lean.

That is why I am into weights and fitness. Weights sculpt you and make everything look really nice if you just use them to tone.

[d80p]

*Cut and paste from another thread edited for AJ UK*

Well *AJ UK*, thats nice to hear you like your women that way. We all have your preferences, and I'm sure there are tons of girls out there that fit the description for your ideal.

I think we should all work on making ourselves feel good about ourselves, not others. Body image problems like anorexia exist because of living up to the standards of others. Funny how eating disorders exist mostly in the female and gay male population. Surely, the outspoken views of males like cjszip and *AJ UK* have absolutely nothing to do with these depressing statistics.

Anyways, being athletic and Asian sucks big time. I guess having stick arms and chicken legs are the epitome of beauty. Sometimes I want to flick the underarms of some "skinny" chicks to see how much their flab shakes. I particularily get this urge when I'm working at the gym and they "furtively" eye me using free weights that aren't *GASP* pink and weigh more than five lbs. Oh and is that sweat they see?

Then again a dark alley will do just as well....

NO NO, I'm kidding, we females needa stick together in this cruel world.


-----and btw, it's very hard for females to get very that muscular without "help." See steriods/genes (which most females don't have)

[d80p]

opps let me edit the last part.....hehehe females have genes, what I meant were those special get big like a mofo genes.

[phatecoder]

i think they do it to get a nice butt j/k

to tone up their whole bod. butt depends on genetics. some girls got it some don't.

[Prophette]

I started working out with weights in high school because I was fat and I was tired of being fat. I lost most of my excess weight in college, and I got a lot more serious about weights and my diet after I graduated. Since then, I've been focusing on adding muscle and reducing body fat. I think my goal is to look something like Monica Brant or Jenny Worth. I think the fitness look is appealing because it's obvious they work out and have muscle, but they don't frighten small children when they walk down the street. But I do admire female bodybuilders because I know they have to work hard to look like that, but at the same time it makes me sad to know that they rely heavily on steroids and other drugs to get that look. I put on muscle pretty easily, but there's no way I'd ever be mistaken for a female bodybuilder. You have to work hard to get hard as a woman. And the bodybuilder look is hard to live with because regular clothes never fit right. I'm not huge, but I constantly have problems with dresses not fitting right because of my back and shoulders, and jeans being too tight in the thighs because they were designed for waifs with 18" thighs.

Primary motivation is vanity, but because so many health problems exist in my family on both sides (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), I definitely have plenty of practical motivation to stay in shape because I know it can help me avoid or delay some of those problems. Now if I could just get my parents on the same kick...

[icequeen]

I have always been skinny verging in anorexic (5'7" 115 lbs).
I started training when I hit 30 and felt my metabolism sink a little. Since then I have used my training to build confidence (and reduce stress through an ugly divorce). Anorexia is about control, but when you begin to see what you can do with a healthy diet and good exercise, you adjust so much in your life . . .
I used to think that being thin was my best asset, now I know that I have so much more to give and that thin does not automaticaly equal beautiful. I have gained nearly 10 lbs of muscle and the confidence to do what ever I want and (bonus)I look better than I ever have.
I am surrounded by a family who thinks I am crazy for being so dedicated when they are all overweight and suffering from various health problems. They keep me in the gym.

There are so many reasons why women work out and while vanity is the most fun, it is far from the only one. My biggest lament is that i am the only serious girl in my gym so i have to come here to hear about other girls succeeding. Keep it up!

and BTW, I built a butt! Squats . . .hundreds of them and deadlifts by the dozen!

[mssixpack56]

I started lifting weights because I kept standing in the grocery lines looking at all the muscle mag covers and thought, "I want to look like that." It had nothing to do with looking hot, I just liked that muscular ripped look. A byproduct of the two years I've been seriously bodybuilding has been admirers of both genders. But twice as many don't like the way it looks. And now, I simply love to lift. So since I've gotten both positive and negative feedback I only bodybuild for myself and the prospect of someday competing. Another byproduct is a feeling of power and control where there is no other situation in my life where these are abundant.

Stasia

[Hibiscus09]

I like to keep a lean, fit look -- but not so lean that I lose my female curves. I don't go as heavy as I used to because I felt like I was getting a thick look to me & I prefer a more feminine look. I do still go pretty heavy, though. It takes a lot of weight for me to start putting on thicker muscle. Plus, I see a lot of people out there that are out of shape & overweight & it's just not a place I ever want to be. Lifting weights also gives me a sense of power. It's nice to feel strong.

[icequeen]

Why would anyone NOT like the way you look?
Probably jealousy more than anything.
You probably make them feel guilty. It used to hurt my feelings when people would make snide comments or glare at me, but I work really hard to stay fit and I shouldn't apologize for it. I am just as busy as anyone else, I MAKE the time.

[mssixpack56]

Amen and way to go Ice Queen. Who cares what the neighbors think?

stasia

[MsFit]

I really don't think female professional bodybuilders care what amatures think. Everyone has their own opinion and if yours is offensive, keep it to yourself.
MsFit

[icequeen]

Define "professional".

[MsFit]

Pro Card.
MsFit

[Kane Fan]

hey icequeen I am glad that you built a butt ;O)
if you ever want to show it off just letme know I will be glad to provide you with a viewing audiance of one )


I see a lot of girls in the golds I go to that just comein, get on the tredmill and maybe do some really light weight work
wich I guess is fine but I really love it when I see a girl moving some real weight
not real weight compared to me but real weight as in she's working to do it not moving her arms with the equivilent of a pair of shoes in her hand....
like today I saw some girl doing DB presses on a flatbench and I could tell she was pushing herself, and I think that's really sexy
girls lifting for strength I love it

[WonderwomanMN]

Just like men, women have specific goals in mind, everyone is different as you have seen by the replies to your post. Personally, to be fit is the best motivator of all! Exercise helps slow down aging, disease and all sorts of nasty ailments that are out there. Secondly, I like to be strong. Im definately not in any kind of shape to compete and not really looking to do that but as far as getting fit, toned and hard..oh yeah!! thats my goal. Any kind of attention you get due to your hard work and dedication..is cake *smiles* Its a positive motivating feeling to have goals to strive for and acheive!! The adreneline/endorphine rush is addicting!!

[tracyb555]

Some of us do it to repel men who think "huge muscly women are sick"! LOL!!

Seriously, I do it for health & fitness reasons AND I like the way I look - athletic, strong & fit. I believe the women that are truly huge get that way from steroids, not by body building alone. While you (and others) may not find that look attractive, it doesn't mean that someone else might find them totally hot. There is much room for diversity, so why worry about why they do it?

[MsFit]

Originally posted by tracyb555
Some of us do it to repel men who think "huge muscly women are sick"! LOL!!

LMAO!! I second that!
MsFit

[ctgblue]

It's good to see that you ladies work out for 'yourselves' too.
I know too many men and women who workout to "pick up chicks" or "meet cute guys".
While that can be a nice byproduct, those are the same fools that are in my damn power rack curling the bar!
I want to give all you ladies the thumbs up for being fit or pursuing that goal for yourselves.
I know that's my main reason for coming back to it over the years.

And as for the guys who "Don't like women with muscles" they can hang out down at the Krispy Kreme or MacDonalds and look for people in the same shape they're in.

As for me, I think a fit lady is a sexy lady.

[MDC]

I was talking with my wife the other day. She said she'd like to have some noticable muscles. I think it's great! She's currently breastfeeding our 7 week old, so it will be some time before she gets to the gym, but it's great to think about!

[MsFit]

Thanks for the positive feed back. Working out is a personal issue, eveyone has their own reason. I began training years ago to gain weight because I was deathly underweight. My training evolved into bodybuildng because I loved the control I had over my body. But hey, that's what anorexia is about huh? I just went from one extreme to another.

Why do women bodybuild? For themselves! I certainly wouldn't get on stage in less than a yard of material for anyone else.
MsFit

[rippedteenchick]

After suffering from anorexia, I decided to change my phisique and bodybuild. When I get out of college, I want to become a pro. Ripped muscle women are not necessarily nasty and masculine. Many of us just like having strong physiques, but you have you opinion entirly messed up. Females can be ripped and feminine at the same time, you've probably just never met a real female bodybuilder so you will never know the truth.

[strongfox2002]

I was always a pudgy kid and after college, I had put on a lot of weight. I started a training in 93 and have been doing it since. I went from being a gym member to a certified fitness instructor and certified personal trainer. I've always admired bodybuilders since 1987 when I saw Cory Everson on the cover of Muscle & Fitness. After I retired from teaching fitness classes,
I seriously started training with weights two years ago with a trainer and decided the time was right to become a bb and compete. I did six competitions so far and plan on going all the way.

I love training hard, increasing my strength and seeing the changes in my body. I love muscles and I admire these female bbs who train even harder. We can't close our eyes to the fact that so many use steriods but that's their decision.

Bodybuilding is a challenge for me. I don't have the world's best genetics but I have been able to improve so much in 2 years. I do it for myself and it's helped me deal with life better and has made me a better person. I have my moments just like everyone else though.

So, I admire women with a lot of muscle as well as the women that have physiques like the fitness competitors. Both entail a lot of work and discipline.

[TrishB]

I started lifting weights after being told I had osteoporosis in the hips and wrists at age 44. But as my body started to get lean and toned, I did it more for the way it made me look and feel, than for health reasons. Because I have had multiple fractures/surgeries in my wrists, I can never lift enough weight to develop serious muscle.
But I am in awe of women who train and develop incredible bodies.

[SPRWMN]

I body build for so many reasons. To tell you honestly, if you were to see me at the gym @ 6:30 in the am you would have to know that I train for selfish reasons. I watched my dad have a heart attack when I was a freshman in high school. When he survived that he changed his eating habits and life style. Back in '93 my mom died of a heart attack. I want to live to see my daughter graduate from college and see her walk down the aisle on her wedding day (if that is her choice).
I am now addicted to fitness. I love how I look and it simply helps me through everyday life. I can't see my life without it. I love being strong and looking strong. There is a direct relation to my accomplishments outside the gym to my accomplishments inside the gym.

-peace

[MsFit]

Originally posted by TrishB
I started lifting weights after being told I had osteoporosis in the hips and wrists at age 44. But as my body started to get lean and toned, I did it more for the way it made me look and feel, than for health reasons. Because I have had multiple fractures/surgeries in my wrists, I can never lift enough weight to develop serious muscle.
But I am in awe of women who train and develop incredible bodies.

TrishB, I'm sure you're well aware of the improtance of vitamins and minerals, especially after the age of forty. If not currenlty taking v/m, please invest in a high quality multivitamin mineral complex. Make sure it's well above the understated RDA, which was develped way back during WWII. Our current nutritional needs far exceed the 1940's. Might I suggest the Super Store here at bb.com.
MsFit

[TrishB]

Thanks Msfit....

I am taking a multivit and calcium now, as well as prescriptions..fosamax and miacalcin. Unfortunately during my teens, I was getting tons of kidney stones and the doctors put me on a no calcium diet....that I stayed on for years. Now they all know better, but that diet, along with surgical menopause at age 35...did a number on my bones.
The latest bone scan has finally showed slight improvement....and I attribute that to the increased weight lifting. Another great benefit of body building.

[MsFit]

Originally posted by TrishB
Thanks Msfit....

I am taking a multivit and calcium now, as well as prescriptions..fosamax and miacalcin. Unfortunately during my teens, I was getting tons of kidney stones and the doctors put me on a no calcium diet....that I stayed on for years. Now they all know better, but that diet, along with surgical menopause at age 35...did a number on my bones.
The latest bone scan has finally showed slight improvement....and I attribute that to the increased weight lifting. Another great benefit of body building.

Great on the M/V!! Yep, you don't neglect calcium for kideny stones, you need more. Quality nutrition and a good M/V complex along with regular cardio and training is your best bet. Multivitamins and minerals are not given the recognition they deserve by the medical profession. Glad to hear you got all those little kinks worked out and still improving. That's what it's all about.
MsFit

[jam]

My congratulation and admiration to all women who keep themselves strong and fit - whether they be thin/toned or muscly bodybuilders. I think that in probably every case the same woman will be much more attractive with muscle than without it.
I also think that anyone who personally does not find women with big muscles attractive, does nobody any good by insulting such women. They work hard, provide tremendous motivation for lots of folks, and are often extremely sexy/desireable to lots of guys.
Keep pumpin' gals! you are beautiful.

[Big Cat]

Originally posted by AJ UK
Hi Ladies i'm a guy wondering what you women here bodybuild for. Do you do it to get muscly and masculine or to get lean and to become a hottie?

Really curious because i think huge muscly women are sick (no offence to those who do)

You are not a guy, you are a boy. And a poorly educated boy or you would know the word was muscular and not muscly. Being muscular, in female terms has nothing to do with masculine. As long as they stay away from the androgens, increased muscle will always enhance the look of a female. As with the male physique, the bigger you get the scarier you look with your clothes on, but the better you look with your clothes off ...

not being one to judge a female by her body as long as she takes care of it in a healthy way, I can still say a little muscle does wonders to outline the female form and keep fat under control ...