charthegreatest

Someone actually said that to me this morning while I was working out.  He took the time to stop and interrupt one of my sets to give me this pearl of wisdom.  Can you believe it?!?  Yeah, I can’t either.  I realize that there are still “lightly educated” people when it comes to women and bodybuilding, but I have to be honest…I’m really tired of it.  This encounter was wrong on so many different levels.  To begin, I can’t imagine approaching anyone else in the gym except to say hello or give words of encouragement.  Next, if you have something to say you should probably know what you’re talking about.  Maybe do a little reading about women and bodybuilding.  Learn the facts - women who lift will not get big muscles like men.  I want to quote Tina Marina in her article, Training Myths and the Female Athlete:

“We have all heard this one from some woman at one time or another. Ladies, no - lifting weight will not make you develop muscle like a man. Quick lesson in anatomy:

Both men and women have hormones coursing through their bodies. These hormones are testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and DHEA. For those of you who are not aware, men and women share all of these; however men have a much higher number of testosterone and DHEA than women do and women have a much higher concentration of estrogen and progesterone.

Testosterone is a very powerful hormone, this is one (if not the) primary factor that enables men to build muscle the way they do. Are there women in this world who lift weights and look like men? Yes. Why? They take testosterone or other androgens to help them achieve that look. Does the average woman who wants to get in shape and attain a ’sexy’ body have to supplement this way to achieve her goals? NO.”

So, that’s that.  I just needed to vent to whoever will listen.  I would bet the farm that there are other women who deal with this ridiculous nonsense all the time.  On the brighter side, he has encouraged me to work even harder. Tomorrow, I’m going to do an extra set of push-ups just for him, then blow him a kiss when I’m done.