
Lots of women believe that lifting weights will make them bulky, manly and leave them looking like Arnie. They want to lift weights to achieve a ‘big booty’, but are afraid of gaining a masculine appearance.
Guilty of the above thoughts? Don’t be – you’re not alone! Sadly, although the proof is in the pudding when it comes to lifting weights, there is still a huge misconception around the subject. This has resulted in women avoid workouts they see as a contributing factor.

I’d like to use myself as an example to prove that strength and beauty CAN exist in the same female body.
From the image here (right), you can see I started my fitness journey at the beginning of 2014 with what some may say is a ‘normal’ 64kg body. I’d avoided heavy weights and although I thought my diet was good, it wasn’t great! So, let’s delve deeper …
- I lifted a few weights three times a week and did cardio three times a week
- My diet was okay but I could have been more careful
- I had the ‘muffin top’ stomach that most women struggle to budge
- I had a fairly rounded bum but it could have been more ‘pert’
After seeking advice from a coach who provided me with a weight training and nutrition plan, I was able to fix up those areas I didn't like just by trusting his judgement and banishing those ever so annoying myths.
Within five weeks of doing so, these were my results! (left)
- I lifted much heavier weights than before, five days a week, and pushed cardio down to one day a week
- My diet had improved no end, and so had my mood
- I was beginning to loose the ‘muffin top’ stomach that most women struggle to budge
- My bum was beginning to lift, sit higher and feel tighter
As I mentioned, this progress took just six weeks of my time and effort, which is nothing if you really want it. Don’t be scared – I do not look manly and nor do I want to look manly! I can promise you that just because you deal with a few dumbbells five times a week, you’re not going to turn into a monster.
It’s sad that the industry has fooled women into believing that as soon as they step into a free weights room, they’ll turn into Mr Olympia! Sadly (for us competitive bodybuilders) this isn’t the case, as this would be the million-dollar formula and the competitive industry wouldn't necessarily exist. Ask yourself, if it was that easy … wouldn't everyone be doing it?