Women & Weight Training: Why It Won't Make You Bulky

A common misconception is that a woman who participates in a dedicated resistance training program will become big and bulky like a man. However, physiological differences exist between men and women that affect their ability to put on significant amounts of muscle mass. Primarily, women synthesize much smaller amounts of testosterone compared to men. Testosterone, as we know, is one of the most anabolic hormones in the body that is a primary driver of muscle growth. Even with the addition of a weight training program, it is very unlikely for a female to be able to bulk up like a man. However, women who decide to lift may see increases in lean muscle, strength, and muscular definition when following a well-designed exercise program.