Crossfit ladies

[Anonymous]

Did it make you bulky? I gain muscle really easily---like a man.

Did you find this made you bigger?

[Anonymous]

No, as long as you keep your calorie intake down such that you aren't creating a big fat layer over the muscles.

However, I would advise against crossfit. Both my husband and I had to quit over injuries. Mine cleared up after a few months, but he is about a year out and is still doing physical therapy once a week instead of exercising. We were at a great facility too, the problem is just that much weight that fast can really hurt you if you have bad form even once, which will happen at some point if you work to full exhaustion.

[Anonymous]

If you are interested in learning Olympic lifting, you can do so in a safer way in a regular gym with a knowledgeable trainer. Rodney at Sport and Health in Crystal City is excellent. You would probably be paying around the same amount as Crossfit and he could give you programming too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I am doing UXF classes and really love them. I think these may be a better fit. There are many core exercises without heavy weights---planks, burpees, box jumps (reasonable height), kettlebell swings, etc.

[Anonymous]

Jeeves wrote:Crossfit will not make you big and bulky.

The women you see who look like that are running steroids, plain and simple.

It will, however, generate impressive repetitive stress injuries, particularly if you are new to training.

I am a 7-time marathon runner (3:45 range), former competitive soccer player, weight lifter, spinner, pilates, 6-X a week workout...and I have ZERO injuries at 44. I can still run pain-free, lift, etc.

However, the injuries I read about associated with Crossfit do highly concern me.

[Anonymous]

I don't do cross-fit, but I do heavy weights and o-lifting. I am actually leaner than I was when I was just doing cardio. In the last 6 months, I've lost inches from my thighs and hips, and my butt looks amazing. (Also, I'm stronger and more flexible! I have more energy!) I'm like you: I build muscle easily, but I haven't bulked up at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't do cross-fit, but I do heavy weights and o-lifting. I am actually leaner than I was when I was just doing cardio. In the last 6 months, I've lost inches from my thighs and hips, and my butt looks amazing. (Also, I'm stronger and more flexible! I have more energy!) I'm like you: I build muscle easily, but I haven't bulked up at all.

This has been the biggest change for me too. I have always been a die-hard cardio addict. I get the endorphins and incredible feeling from running/spinning. My DH has always been a big-time weight lifter. He was always on me to do more lifting...it was always tacked on the ends of my runs as an after-thought.

I do agree that this year is one of my fittest in a long time (since pre-kids in my early 30s)! I'm 44. I now am only running 2 days a week for 45 minutes. I used to run 5-6 days a week---40-50 miles per week. I am in so much better overall shape by cross-training. The UXF classes with focus on core have transfomred my body. I am getting comments from neighbors and friends almost weekly. I have been converted. I am running today--but it will be my first run of the week.

[Anonymous]

12:09, what is your routine? I've learned some O lifts and am getting into heavier weights. I am doing New Rules of Lifting for Women but am interestedin other plans.

[Anonymous]

12:09 here. I work with a trainer, so it varies, but we generally stick with the basics. I do 1 day/wk of lower body: back squats, front squats, overhead squats ( which I wouldn't feel comfortable doing on my own), as well as power cleans.

Another day I do back/upper body: dead lifts, pulls, push presses, bench press, and "accessories" (biceps, triceps, abs..).

Is that helpful?

I also do a lot of foam rolling, which I believe is critical for mobility and muscle recovery. But that I can do while I'm watching t.v.

[Anonymous]

Yes, thank you! Do you plan to compete? Wish there were something for amateurs, similar to the fun runs and 5ks around here to give it a group element. As fun as lifting weights is, I miss the social element of some other sports. I'm looking for a female lifting partner, but so far, no luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do cross-fit, but I do heavy weights and o-lifting. I am actually leaner than I was when I was just doing cardio. In the last 6 months, I've lost inches from my thighs and hips, and my butt looks amazing. (Also, I'm stronger and more flexible! I have more energy!) I'm like you: I build muscle easily, but I haven't bulked up at all.

This has been the biggest change for me too. I have always been a die-hard cardio addict. I get the endorphins and incredible feeling from running/spinning. My DH has always been a big-time weight lifter. He was always on me to do more lifting...it was always tacked on the ends of my runs as an after-thought.

I do agree that this year is one of my fittest in a long time (since pre-kids in my early 30s)! I'm 44. I now am only running 2 days a week for 45 minutes. I used to run 5-6 days a week---40-50 miles per week. I am in so much better overall shape by cross-training. The UXF classes with focus on core have transfomred my body. I am getting comments from neighbors and friends almost weekly. I have been converted. I am running today--but it will be my first run of the week.

Mind if I ask which WSC you're doing the UXF classes at? I was doing them at the silver spring club but quit when they raised the price a few years ago. They had originally said they were going to keep classes down to like 5 people, but the class I was in had at least 10-12, and for that price I wasn't getting the attention I felt was warranted for the money. I did really love the workouts though. I ask, b/c we moved to rockville last year and if the UXF classes at the north bethesda gym are better, I would look into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do cross-fit, but I do heavy weights and o-lifting. I am actually leaner than I was when I was just doing cardio. In the last 6 months, I've lost inches from my thighs and hips, and my butt looks amazing. (Also, I'm stronger and more flexible! I have more energy!) I'm like you: I build muscle easily, but I haven't bulked up at all.

This has been the biggest change for me too. I have always been a die-hard cardio addict. I get the endorphins and incredible feeling from running/spinning. My DH has always been a big-time weight lifter. He was always on me to do more lifting...it was always tacked on the ends of my runs as an after-thought.

I do agree that this year is one of my fittest in a long time (since pre-kids in my early 30s)! I'm 44. I now am only running 2 days a week for 45 minutes. I used to run 5-6 days a week---40-50 miles per week. I am in so much better overall shape by cross-training. The UXF classes with focus on core have transfomred my body. I am getting comments from neighbors and friends almost weekly. I have been converted. I am running today--but it will be my first run of the week.

Mind if I ask which WSC you're doing the UXF classes at? I was doing them at the silver spring club but quit when they raised the price a few years ago. They had originally said they were going to keep classes down to like 5 people, but the class I was in had at least 10-12, and for that price I wasn't getting the attention I felt was warranted for the money. I did really love the workouts though. I ask, b/c we moved to rockville last year and if the UXF classes at the north bethesda gym are better, I would look into it.

Clarendon.

[Anonymous]

No, I am not bulky but I am not very strong (though stronger than when I started) compared to many of the women I see. I lift in the much lighter range, and mostly enjoy xfit because of the variety. I am SUPER careful of injuries because I've had many (doing other things). So far, I've gotten muscle definition and lost some weight, but no bulk . Looking at the serious xfit women in the class, there is a huge variety--there are larger, strong women who are a bit bulky, but that is their body type. There are women who are super petite and slender, and yet incredibly strong, and that is their body type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I am not bulky but I am not very strong (though stronger than when I started) compared to many of the women I see. I lift in the much lighter range, and mostly enjoy xfit because of the variety. I am SUPER careful of injuries because I've had many (doing other things). So far, I've gotten muscle definition and lost some weight, but no bulk . Looking at the serious xfit women in the class, there is a huge variety--there are larger, strong women who are a bit bulky, but that is their body type. There are women who are super petite and slender, and yet incredibly strong, and that is their body type.

absolutely!

if you normally bulk up easily lifting weights then yes, you will get bulky doing CF, but overall most women have to try insanely hard to put on muscle and bulk up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I am not bulky but I am not very strong (though stronger than when I started) compared to many of the women I see. I lift in the much lighter range, and mostly enjoy xfit because of the variety. I am SUPER careful of injuries because I've had many (doing other things). So far, I've gotten muscle definition and lost some weight, but no bulk . Looking at the serious xfit women in the class, there is a huge variety--there are larger, strong women who are a bit bulky, but that is their body type. There are women who are super petite and slender, and yet incredibly strong, and that is their body type.

absolutely!

if you normally bulk up easily lifting weights then yes, you will get bulky doing CF, but overall most women have to try insanely hard to put on muscle and bulk up.

I am of the 'bulky' variety. My roommate's father in college nicknamed me 'Muscles'. 15 years of competitive soccer make my thighs no match for any skinny jeans. I also get 'serious' guns. Ironically, this is why DH married me. Luckily, we have all boys. I could not imagine a daughter with both of our 'bulky', broad, muscle gaining abilities.