The most annoying female weight lifting myths revealed
New research from Strength Ambassadors sheds light on the struggles women in the fitness industry face after surveying over 100 active female weight lifters.
The survey shows there is still a lack of understanding when it comes to the impact weight training can have on the female body as well as judgement from fellow gym goers that women need advice/guidance.
View Research - https://strengthambassadors.com/blog/ladies-who-lift-myths-debunked-our-survey-results/
The Key Findings
50% of women voted “you’ll become bulky & unattractive” as the most annoying weight lifting myth.
Over 60% of respondents have had to dispel a lifting myth whilst in the gym.
The top 3 reasons women find these myths so annoying are because they are untrue (43%), it’s sexist (36%) and “it’s off putting (8%)
The main reason women lift weights is to get stronger (57%), followed by “build muscle” (15%)
Breaking down the data
50% of women voted “you’ll become bulky & unattractive” as the most annoying weight lifting myth.
Over half of the women surveyed encountered a comment on their appearance, suggesting that the omnipresent battle women face to be defined outside of a pre-established level of attractiveness still exists in a place designed to promote health and wellbeing.
Yes, women who lift will increase their muscle mass. That’s part of what weight lifting does, among other things. But it will not leave women sprouting huge Eddie Hall type biceps.
Men have more of the hormone needed to grow muscle, and more of the right type of muscle fibre to gain size, this means that it’s considerably unlikely that a woman is going to start boasting muscles the size of a male compatriot just because she lifts a dumbbell.
Over 60% of respondents have had to dispel a lifting myth whilst in the gym.
Some of the personal experiences shared included “Heavy lifting will make a woman infertile”, a PE teacher telling a class their “uterus will fall out if you do full pushups” and that lifting is “unhealthy/dangerous for women if they want to have children”.
Here are two of stand out comments our respondents received whilst working out:
“Women shouldn’t do flat bench press because we’ll lose breast tissue. I was told this by an actual PT.”
Once again this gem no doubt stems from the stereotypical image of women becoming “masculine” in appearance but unfortunately for that PT, they were very wrong. Chest exercises – even those that enhance our pectoral muscles – cannot, and will not shrink your breast size.
“Recently in a HIIT class, I was dissuaded against shrugs as “traps aren’t a good look on a girl“
Quote From Sally Moss
“Over the past decade of being a strength coach focused on women's weight training, I've witnessed the extraordinary growth of women participating in weight training and wanting to train for strength.
This is incredibly positive as there are so many health benefits from weight training, including being stronger in everyday life, improved fitness, and greater confidence in your abilities.
However, I was still hearing stories from women at Strength Ambassadors, about what is said to them in the typical weight room. I decided to investigate further, to find out if this was still a common occurrence. This survey is the result of that work.
It's very frustrating that these myths persist and are trotted out while women are simply trying to get their training done in peace, or perhaps negotiating the weight room for the first time.
When you are stepping out of your comfort zone, the last thing you need to hear is some ridiculous age-old myth about lifting being 'bad for you'.
It's particularly frustrating when it comes from PTs and gym instructors, who should know better!
Nevertheless, it shows that women are growing in knowledge and confidence around weight training. Women who train with me at Strength Ambassadors, and similar training gyms, feel better able to deal with this kind of comment, even though it makes them uncomfortable or annoyed.
Quite frankly, they shouldn't have to.
At Strength Ambassadors, we believe strength training is for everyone, and we want to spread the word that lifting weights is safe, fun, and good for your health!
Learning correct technique from a trusted source is the best way to start your lifting journey. Then you'll have the confidence to ignore myths and comments, and simply get on with getting stronger.”
Survey Write up
https://strengthambassadors.com/blog/ladies-who-lift-myths-debunked-our-survey-results/
Data Visualisations
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/afjx44ru56hf4kr/AACx37linA6L8t2_Ji2FZ7V0a?dl=0