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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Here's a bunch of women with zero strength who train to do pullups. Look how much progress and toned physique they get from training.  Of course it's hard when you start, but that's the point. You need to challenge yourself.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/z1haqkkVTtI[/youtube]

And there are plenty of middle aged women who do things like rock/wall climbing as a hobby, which requires similar types of strength/movement.[/quote]

Unless your goal is specifically "do pull-ups", there is no strength or health or physique goal that you can get to with pull-ups that you can't get some other way. I love pull-ups, although my joints don't like them so much as I get older. But the way you get stronger and build muscle is with a training program that's consistent, in a good rep range, where you increase the amount you're lifting when you're able, and where the movements you're doing collectively work out your whole body. There are so many different ways to get there depending on someone's preferences, physical issues, and what they have available to them. I see a lot of men benching at the gym and their lifts are not particularly good because they don't have programs and they're not consistent. Those are the parts that are key, not the specific movement you choose.[/quote]

exactly. and I will also add - many women’s goals are not to build massive strength and muscle asap. We’re happy to take it more slowly and have fun. I really recommend starting with body weight exercises that help build form and confidence. They also help with proprioception and all sorts of other good stuff. It’s fine if anyone wants to focus on pullups or bench pressing, but there’s also something very gratifying about functional exercises like reverse lunges and kettlebell swings! [/quote]

So this is sort of a pet peeve of mine, but how is a kettlebell swing a functional exercise?  When, outside of swinging the kettlebell, do you ever do that motion in real life?

Don't get me wrong, its a great accessory exercise and works the butt, hammies and forearms great!  But its not functional.

Functional exercises are the ones that directly translate to the motions you use in day to day to life.

Box step-ups.  Functional.  Same as climbing stairs.

Deadlifts.  Functional.  Same as picking up a heavy box off the floor.

Overhead press.  Functional.  Same as putting something away on the top shelf of the cabinet.

But when do you ever do the reverse lunge motion in real life?  Or the swing motion, outside of the gym?  Again I program and do these exercise multiple times a week.  But they are not functional; they are accessory.

[/quote]

"functional" to me just means that you're using a range of motion and combination of muscles that varies and mimicks every day movements, not locked into a pattern that you rarely do (when do you ever lie on your back and lift things IRL?) or isolating a single muscle/movement.   [/quote]

Right, bench press isn't really a functional exercise.  And in the same vein, neither really is squatting.  Honestly, the clean and jerk is more functional than both of them.  [/quote]

Lol, squatting isn't functional? See this is where you really need a woman's perspective. I squatted CONSTANTLY when I had babies/toddlers.  [/quote]

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