Lifting heavy vs. less weight/higher reps

[believeNme]

I feel like im going insane!!!!!! OK, so everytime i turn around, i hear, women have to train heavy! Well, my legs are about as hard as rocks, as is. And when i train heavy on legs, i can just FORGET wearing my sexy jeans that weekend.They BLOW up!!! =( I don't know what to do? I have my diet in check ...13 straight days w/o cheating!!! But anyhow..... is it possible for some women to build muscle easier than others? If so, should they NOT lift as heavy? HELP!!!!!

 

[fitnessgrl8621]

Thank you for posting this! I'm in the same boat as you! Would love to hear what some others have to say...

 

[believeNme]

LOL....glad im not tha only one!!!

 

[gjohnson5]

do both! there 's no one against the other because the way to maximize gains is variety

 

[The Shadow]

Read My Shut It Sticky

 

[jenscats5]

I went out & bought new jeans -- from Old Navy, they are stretch so they fit my thighs..... my "junior" sized jeans no longer fit my thighs as they are cut narrow in the leg....

 

[The Shadow]

no shit...my quads are outta control again....Im going to back of quads to once every 10-12 days

 

[ashley2212]

In general, I think women's legs tend to grow faster than any of the muscle groups in their upper bodies when trained heavily. I too was in the same boat a couple of years ago - I gained on my legs pretty quickly.

YES women should train heavy. However, you might have to modify for the parts that grow faster. I found that doing leg exercises at a moderate weight (or bodyweight) at 8-10 reps works very well for me. This is where Shadow's TUT principle comes in. Go read it. Keep training everything else heavy.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

First, eating clean for 13 days is FANTASTIC, but it is much more than only 13 days that will make the difference. Patience is key.

Finally, I have naturally muscular legs. I haven't lifted a weight for legs (besides bodyweight activities) in well over a year. No need. I can sculpt, define and harden my legs through plyometrics, kickboxing, running and LUNGES. I don't do ANY machines for legs.

I've posted my favorite leg workout here somewhere ... I'll check around for it ... no weights involved at all.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Here are a couple threads that could give you some alternatives.

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290957&highlight=lunges

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227366

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346247&highlight=lunges