What has your experience been with lifting heavy weights?

[summer breeze]

Originally Posted by Julia

In my personal experience I was very, very skinny in my 20s and I lifted heavy and it really made me look great without any bulk. I lifted heavy and had a trainer while lifting heavy I looked amazing and felt good.

Now at 44 if I lift heavy I get huge in size, doesn’t matter what I eat. Right now I’m in a debulking phase using my fitness loop/resistance bands for upper and back to Callanetics. I always go back to trying the heavy lift but always end up regretting it and each time the debulk phase lasts longer than the time before. At 5’2 (3/4) quarterback shoulders and thunder thighs are just not a good look, however I always lift moderate for my butt and lower body or my buns turn into pancakes.

Are you streaming Callanetics? Are there specific dvds that use the bands?

[rhbrand]

I get smaller in all the places I want to, and I get bigger in all the places I want to.

Waist, smaller, butt, bigger.

Besides, I WANT to be super SUPER strong, so I lift as heavy as I can.

[Sue B]

I do get stronger and smaller with heavy weights, and don't bulk anymore. But I can get injured if I overdo it, so I'm doing 2 or at most 3 days a week now. Mostly I just love how it feels to lift heavy.

My whole family has had multiple colds this winter, but I haven't been sick - knock wood!

[adrien_73]

Originally Posted by susan p

Personally, I gain weight doing heavy weights. I've done two experiments and gained weight both times. I gained muscle and fat together.

A personal trainer I was in a class with at time time of my first round of experimentation said "well of course!" when I complained about gaining weight lifting heavy weights. Apparently she thought that was just normal. She said "that's why bodybuilders have build and cut phases."

I keep hearing that lifting heavy weights will make you smaller. . . doesn't happen that way for me. I wish it did. I wouldn't mind being heavier if I was smaller. . .

This has been my experience as well. However, I do tend to get injured now when I lift. I can't blame that entirely on the weights. I realize now I was probably over training...with both high impact cardio and weights...for decades. Now I have to be careful with everything I do.

[marki64]

Interesting thread. I have always been a low weight/high rep person and occasionally do heavier weight/less reps. If you look at my arms, you probably wouldn't think I lift at all. Recently I have been working out to a variety of instructors and am noticing a little bulge in my bi's from lifting heavier (for me) and doing as many reps as you can for 30-45 seconds and then repeating the exercise in the set. I'm kinda liking this method. Now, heavy for upperbody for me, is a set of 12-15 lb dumbbells. I really don't care to lift 20+ poundage. I think I would end up pulling or straining something. But I am seeing strength gains and a little definition in my arms and legs. I also have to add that bodyweight exercises have really helped too.

[bubbles76]

Originally Posted by rhbrand

I get smaller in all the places I want to, and I get bigger in all the places I want to.

Waist, smaller, butt, bigger.

Besides, I WANT to be super SUPER strong, so I lift as heavy as I can.

I wish! I don't seem to show size or definition much at all. Although I know I am getting stronger just because, well, I can lift more

[KateTT]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE lifting as heavy as I possibly can. To failure.

Yes I gained weight from heavy lifting but not necessarily inches. I get much more defined. My shoulders, arms and thighs certainly get bigger but I like that. I am short 5'1" and am very stocky.

I know my body type and what works for me. I am not a barre/ballet girl and my body will never be that way.
However, my body, even at 56, gets stronger and stronger and that is my goal. I love having "quadzilla" legs, I love having football shoulders, I love having biceps! My step daughter pointed out my "guns" to her friends.

Heavy lifting isn't for everyone. And yes, I'm afraid it will probably make you look a little bulky, especially if you aren't super thin and eat like a winner. I am not and I don't but I'm happy with how I am and I'll dare anyone to arm wrestle me.

[lreidgreen]

I used to get smaller when I lifted fairly heavy but the last few years it has been making me super hungry so I have been rethinking my whole approach.

Last April-June I did Club Pilates then went back to heavy lifting. My hunger went through the roof. I switched to a different program (was doing Nia Shanks then switched to Bedrock Strength) and the hunger was more manageable although otherwise I was not thrilled with BRS. I stopped lifting in January to avoid the new years resolution crowds at the gym and did Pilates, resistance band and body weight. I am about to start phase 4 of Nia Shank's Beautiful Badass 6 Phase system because I am tired of wondering what workout I am going to do each day.
I really like lifting heavy but for some reason I am not looking forward to starting up again and I need to figure out a way to manage the hunger.
I mainly just want to follow a program.

ETA: I also love getting strong. Hopefully the break from lifting will have done me some good and I can start out fresh.

[LindaL]

Originally Posted by rhbrand

I get smaller in all the places I want to, and I get bigger in all the places I want to.

Waist, smaller, butt, bigger.

Besides, I WANT to be super SUPER strong, so I lift as heavy as I can.

Same for me, but the biggest bonus is my mood and self-confidence when I’m lifting heavy and going for PRs. I’ll be 52 this month and have to be mindful about overtraining. I also take period breaks from it, but it makes me feel great and causes the least amount of injury and run-down feeling of any other type of exercise I do. I can’t count how many times I’ve been injured from yoga, Pilates, and barre, which leads me to believe my body isn’t built for those types of workouts.

[Taiga]

Heavy lifting makes me tiny/ripped/strong----as long as I don't "eat to feed muscle gains". I'm always surprised that many women complain about getting bigger with heavy lifting but they are pounding down a few extra protein shakes per day, in addition to their diet. That intake can account for an extra meal or 2 of calories per day! I eat a very clean diet (fish,veges, complex carbs etc) but I don't add calories when I'm in a lifting program, even if the program suggests it. I did try that once but I started to bulk/lose definition and I dropped it like a hot rock. People always ask me if that affects my recovery time. As long as my diet is clean / anti-inflammatory, I heal just fine. No sugar/junk food/alcohol/bread/pasta etc and I actually recover quickly. I do know that plenty of folks here have mentioned using protein drinks to curb post workout hunger and soreness so worth a trial if someone is struggling but my body does best without it.

I should also mention that I get better results with rest days in between splits. When I did STS, I only did the weight work (not the shock cardio) because I get better results without cardio. I love cardio so that was hard to accept. More cardio= less muscle gain and definition for me and I've tested it enough times to be sure.

For reference, I pretty much limit myself to 50lb dumbbells or less these days. I stored the heavier stuff because DH was getting quite grumpy over the room it used. I was pleased at the gym like appearance of our living room but he had other ideas :-)