I know how people feel about us reposting articles, but lately some women have addressed their fears about lifting making them ‘bulky.’ Therefore, it merits this repost not only for the women, but for any guys that have a hard time selling strength building to their female friends, girlfriends, relatives, etc.

Quite unfortunately, when most people associate women with lifting weights, they immediately conjure up the above image: masculine jawline, orange skin, freakish muscles, and itty bitty bikinis. This is because most of our lives, we’ve only been exposed to the women in the ‘sport’ of bodybuilding who are mostly hormonally enhanced (putting it nicely) to look that way. Since bodybuilders lift weights, people naturally then think that it leads to bulky masculine muscles.

Let’s go ahead and state the obvious:

1. Bulking up requires testosterone levels that women just don’t have. Unless they ‘augment’ those levels, we just can’t get there. That being said, there are plenty of figure models who have beautiful defined physiques.

2. Bulking up (even for men) requires a rigorous diet that involves taking in LOTS of food. Ever see bodybuilders in their every day lives? Almost without fail, they’ll have a giant cooler of some sort that contains heaps of protein that they consume every couple of hours.

3. Muscle takes up less space than fat. As your lean body mass increases so does your resting metabolism, so muscle burns more calories.

4. Muscles = smokin’ hot body. Check out some of the elite CrossFittin women below.  Need I say more? Boys, why don’t you weigh in on this and post your thoughts to comments. The ladies might need a little encouragement!

Now, I’m not going to lie.  You will build muscle.  What this will do for you, though, is give you the best physique for your body type.  Everyone puts on lean body mass differently.  The end result is fitness.  The byproduct is just happens to be beauty.

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Yesterday, we said goodbye to Pistol Pete who recently moved out of the South Bay. He has only been with us a short time but has made huge gains, especially earning many nicknames after movements he picks up with ridiculous ease (pistols, l-sits, handstands, etc). We’ll be getting together for a post wod brunch on an upcoming Saturday to give him a proper send off, so stay tuned for details!

Take care, Pete and keep us posted on what other nicknames you earn at CrossFit Pasadena!

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WOD 4.15.11

Front Squat 3×3

CrossFit Games WOD 11.4
As many rounds/reps as possible in 10 minutes:
60 Burpees
30 OHS (120/90)
10 Muscle Ups