Quote from: gshinkle on June 10, 2010, 02:54:56 PM

I know I won't get man bulky, but I do have higher testosterone than the average woman. I'd probably become a lot bulkier than her.

It's all about how you train. Competitive weightlifters increase strength everyday without increasing muscle size/weight. That's how records are broken within weight classes. Men who have significantly more testosterone than you still struggle to add even the smallest amount of muscle. Even if you have more testosterone than average it's still virtually impossible for you to add the amount of muscle you fear.

Quote from: gshinkle on June 10, 2010, 02:54:56 PM

 
And I plan on putting in YEARS of effort. Do you honestly think I plan on 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for forever? Don't assume. I never said it was *that* easy. What I said was that it's what I don't want. After years of working my way up and putting in that much effort, I'd rather not be bulky. A woman I used to work with lifts weights for about an hour a day 4-5 times per week and she's ALREADY bulkier than that woman and I'm pretty sure that woman probably did a lot more training than 1 hour sessions 4-5 times per week.

With that type of training schedule, your co-worker is probably a bodybuilder and completely focused on sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. That type of training is simply to increase muscle size. This is called peripheral training and it is very unhealthy. It is a direct link to structural dis-function. Do not be surprised if she is chemically enhancing her gains.

Yeah. I know I won't be mega buff, but we may be thinking of different things. For instance, I think Serena Williams is a bit on the bulky side with her arms. That's kind of what my coworker looked like, too - well, except she was white, but her arms were fairly bulked up. Not manly, but still bulkier than I'd prefer. Don't worry. She isn't body builder bulky.

Is there a point in the future that I should just stop increasing weight and go for reps or something? Or should I be increasing weight and reps my entire life? Or perhaps completely switching to something else?

Quote from: gshinkle on June 11, 2010, 04:26:06 AM

Is there a point in the future that I should just stop increasing weight and go for reps or something? Or should I be increasing weight and reps my entire life? Or perhaps completely switching to something else?

Increase in reps increases volume which increases muscle size. You should train for maximal strength if you fear "bulk". Low reps, low sets, heavy weight. Avoid isolation exercises.

I remember being told the opposite of that in high school. That really heavy weight a few times will make your muscles bigger, whereas lighter weights several times won't.

Kind of like the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner?

Quote from: Wlfdg on June 11, 2010, 02:13:53 PM

Quote from: gshinkle on June 11, 2010, 04:26:06 AM

Is there a point in the future that I should just stop increasing weight and go for reps or something? Or should I be increasing weight and reps my entire life? Or perhaps completely switching to something else?

Increase in reps increases volume which increases muscle size. You should train for maximal strength if you fear "bulk". Low reps, low sets, heavy weight. Avoid isolation exercises.

I remember being told the opposite of that in high school. That really heavy weight a few times will make your muscles bigger, whereas lighter weights several times won't.

Kind of like the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner?

Low weight + high reps + high sets = sarcoplasmic hypertrophy aka bodybuilding

heavy weight + low reps + high volume = powerlifting

heavy weight + low reps + low sets = strength training