Need Your Opinions!!!! (PICS included)

[acm3]

Hi, im new to this forum and am interested in female physical fitness. My friend and I have decided to start weight training at the ages of 49 . Well we were discussing starting points and would like to know your opinions. Here are some pics of my friend. She is a marathon runner.

PIC 2

PIC 3

PIC 4

PIC 5

Here are some of her stats:
Caucasian Female
49 Years Old
5'9
Marathon Runner
Works out at local gym

Her question is...how do you think her physique measures up to the average American female. I know its hard to tell based on pics but we would just like to get the fitness community opinion.

Okay here's me....

Stats:
Asian Female
49 Years Old
5'4
Used to practice martial arts
Works out at local gym

I was also wondering what you guy thought of my physique. Please be brutally honest. I am looking to weight train more seriously now so I can take ANY criticism easily. How do you think I measure up to the average American female in terms of physical fitness based on my photo? Any input is appreciated.

PS...my friend challenged me to an armwrestling match the other day to see who would get to pay for lunch. My arms were a little sore from a workout so I said next time. Who do you think will win an armwrestling match between us?? Just wondering what you guys think . Thanks!

 

[iamfirmin]

First off I too was a runner -- extreme runner.. AND I WAS WEAK.. I am 49 years old .. and now very very strong.. I luved running -- however what it does to your joints.. IS just frightful!... I had the skinny stressful body look.. it is amazing what lifting does to your posture .. bones and daily functions... I really would get the advice of a "personal trainer" that can advice and adapt to age.. !!!! important.. and start a weight lifting program IMMEDIATELY.. its amazing __ i hear it all the time.. I DONT WANT TO LOOK LIKE THOSE BODYBUILDERS.. TRUST ME --- ITS HARD TO GET THERE..

 

[acm3]

First off I too was a runner -- extreme runner.. AND I WAS WEAK.. I am 49 years old .. and now very very strong.. I luved running -- however what it does to your joints.. IS just frightful!... I had the skinny stressful body look.. it is amazing what lifting does to your posture .. bones and daily functions... I really would get the advice of a "personal trainer" that can advice and adapt to age.. !!!! important.. and start a weight lifting program IMMEDIATELY.. its amazing __ i hear it all the time.. I DONT WANT TO LOOK LIKE THOSE BODYBUILDERS.. TRUST ME --- ITS HARD TO GET THERE..

thank you for your input. i think my friend is probably pretty strong for a marthon runner. i am constantly hearing that women should lift weights to avoid bone problems. this, in addition to a little friendly competition and wanting to improve our bodies, is why weight training interested us. if we both trained hard for a year..do you think we would end up looking like bodybuilders? also, how do you guys think our physiques (muscle definition, mass, fat, etc) are? how bout compared to an average female in the US or at the gym?? THanks!!

 

[Sassy69]

She looks good, lean etc.

A couple myths -- no you can't look like bodybuilders (if you mean like man-like) just from lifting weights. Come on. People lift heavy things all the time. Women don't have enough testosterone in their bodies to build muscle like that.

Sorry I don't bother making coments about people relative to the avg female. The avg female bodyfat is around 25%. I happened to prefere some muscle. And also based on stats, with 60% of the US populous being obese, I guess if you come in under 40% bf you are "healthy" relative to the rest of the lard asses.

Ugh -- sorry I'm 3 days out from a show, 5 hrs of sleep, 3 days low carbed and off to the gym.

Good luck w/ your weight training. YOu can make dramatic changes by including resistance training in your regimen!

 

[acm3]

I see what you're saying sassy. By the way, is that you in the pic under your screen name? If so, I'd like to compliment you on a great body!! About how long do you think it would take for my friend to become built like you if she trained and ate right religiously?? THe same question goes for me (im the one in the light blue tank). It would be great if you guys could critique my body and let me know what I should improve on (ie bulking up biceps, more defined shoulders, etc) Thanks!! Oh yea and 1 more thing, between my friend and I who do you think would be stronger right now based on the pics?? We have some friendly competition =). And don't hold back on criticsm...i take criticism very well haha.

 

[*Bunny*]

She looks good, lean etc.

A couple myths -- no you can't look like bodybuilders (if you mean like man-like) just from lifting weights. Come on. People lift heavy things all the time. Women don't have enough testosterone in their bodies to build muscle like that.

Sorry I don't bother making coments about people relative to the avg female. The avg female bodyfat is around 25%. I happened to prefere some muscle. And also based on stats, with 60% of the US populous being obese, I guess if you come in under 40% bf you are "healthy" relative to the rest of the lard asses.

Ugh -- sorry I'm 3 days out from a show, 5 hrs of sleep, 3 days low carbed and off to the gym.

Good luck w/ your weight training. YOu can make dramatic changes by including resistance training in your regimen!

^^^ I agree with everything you said Sassy Pants (no worries about your show)

p.s. Welcome to EF! Good luck with your goals