Will Lifting Weights Make Girls Manly?

Ben has us going to CrossFit 6 times a week now! I have always been an all or nothing type of athlete, but this is HARD. I’ve done the only running thing, the elliptical thing, P90X, kick boxing – you name it. Since I began CrossFit a little over 3 weeks ago, I have began to feel stronger than I’ve ever felt before– a lot stronger. It began to concern me that I was advancing in heavy lifting so quickly… so our smart (and oh-so-classy) Crossfit instructor put me to silence when I asked the same question most girls ask when starting to lift heavy weights. I asked him if I continued to lift heavier, would I begin to look manly - He looked at me with a serious face and stated very matter of factly, “A girl will look like a manly bodybuilder from lifting  weights the day I start to grow big titties …”

I stifled a giggle, and looked around to see if anyone else heard him mention his muscle bound body growing boobs. Apparently I was the only 20-something year old going on 12.

Well then why do we see so many gym crazed girls look SO manly? Supplements, steroids, unbalanced (natural or injected) testosterone levels. All the research I have found has reassured me that this is the reason.

Guys are made with a different chemical/hormone make up than girls (no surprise there!). To the girls who argue that girls can be or will one day be faster or stronger than guys – give it up, it will never naturally happen. Testosterone (among other manly hormones) causes facial hair growth, all over body hair (no thanks), an Adam’s Apple, a deep voice, need I mention their 5^th extremity (?!), and the potential for awesome physical ability.  Girls, we have the potential for awesome physical ability as well, but on an equally proportionate scale to that of guys.

Though many people claim it is, I am not yet convinced that CrossFit can be a stand alone workout routine for women who want to be very toned and lean. Yes, it takes time and I know I am getting stronger, but I am having a hard time giving up the calorie blasting, 30+ minute runs I used to go on that made me lean. I have not yet run over 1 mile in any given WOD. Then again, being fit is about 70% diet, 30% workout. Time will surely tell!