Will using heavier dumbbells make me look bulkier?

Question

Im currently using 5 lb weights but they dont feel like a challenge, I can lift them but barely break a sweat. Id like to move up to 8lbs but my friends said it would make me have bulkier muscles. I want the lean look. HELP!

Answer 1

conventional wisdom says if you want to be very toned, but not very bulky use lighter weights, but increase the repetitions.

If you want to gain size then use heavier weights.

Though there are some who think that weights don't matter,what matters is the amount of testosterone in your system. For more information on this idea go to
http://www.intense-workout.com/female_weightlifting.html

this one says use resistance training
http://www.qwa.org/womens/DestroyMyths.htm

this one says you need to realllllllly be lifting for a long time to bulk up as a woman. Based on genetics, it typically takes a lot of weightlifting to get big and bulky. This is especially the case for women, based on the hormone profile. It is not impossible, but they need to work hard to get bulky.

Fine: We hear that a lot from women ... they often use weights that are too light because of this fear. That hurts their chances of properly toning and strengthening their body. Toning up muscles also helps metabolism.

I had always heard less weight more reps to get really toned. But some of this information says, use whatever weights you want to use. That is pretty interesting. Have fun, use the weights you want to.

Answer 2

Good post by Adorabilly; informative, correct and backed up by literature.

It's a common fear and misconception women have that lifting heavier weights will make them bulk up and hence look "manly", conjuring up images of magazine covers with competitive bodybuilding women with huge frames and blocky faces. This is extremely difficult for women to do naturally, if not impossible, because of the lack of testosterone and the dominance of estrogen. The women we see in the magazines like that are almost all taking steroids and other hormones which block the production of estrogen and stimulate testosterone levels.

So, as mentioned above, because of this fear many women feel they have to be relegated to really light weights for tons of reps, at which point they hit a plateau in their workouts when they are actually more than ready to advance. If you're not getting a sufficient workout with the lighter weights, definitely start working up to heavier weights. Also, try changing up the routine to "shock" the muscles into toning muscle growth.

If you look at any of the "hardbody" women in the gyms, the ones that the guys are fawning over, nearly all of them have a strength training routine involving heavy enough weights to challenge their abilities.

Answer 3

8 pounds cannot make anybody look bulky. I use 20lbs weights, and I'm toned, definitely not bulky. Women start getting bulky if they use really heavy weights (30+ lbs) every day- we just lack the testosterone to get super bulky, so don't worry- upgrade to 8 pounds- more resistance also strengthens your bones and protects you from osteoporosis.

Answer 4

what are you speaking approximately? you weren't cumbersome in any respect. cumbersome potential you have a greater physique fat proportion. in case you experience which you're disproportional, then do extra compound lifts which will artwork out diverse muscle tissues. to illustrate, do squats which will artwork your quads and hamstrings. in case you do leg extension, purely your quads will enhance, and that they're going to finally end up extra effective than your hamstrings.