Gwenyth Paltrow's trainer says not to lift heavy??

Hey there,

I was watching Oprah and it had a segment on Gwenyth Paltrow and her trainer Tracey Anderson(?). She says that women should never use weights for their arms heavier than 3 pounds. To use bands and body weight so as not to bulk the muscle.

That goes against what everyone on CC says and also many PT's that I've talked to. But you have to admit that Gwenyth looks fantastic Her arms have really nice definition without looking big or bulky. She looks thin and fit.

What do you guys think? I ask because when I do lift heavy, I find that I do tend to start looking rather thicker not lean. That's with a high calorie deficit and plenty of proteins.

Anyone care to help? I feel confused !

Thanks.

actually a lot of people lift heavier than 3lbs in their day to day lives. even gwenyth does when she picks up her child(ren??).

and when you say lean, what exactly do you mean? there are bodybuilders that are pretty lean.

Body weight exercises are not 'light' lifting, depending on what is done. Think of pull-ups.

I've also had the looking bulkier when working out problem. I find it to be completely temporary, lasting for maybe a month into a new workout. For one, your arms don't magically lose fat when you gain muscle, so if you're not magically losing weight there, you can look bulkier until your body catches up. Also, swelling and water retention after a tough workout can make you look and feel larger.

You can not actually 'bulk up' muscle-wise at a calorie deficit, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Thanks for your opinions guys!

Every time someone repeats Tracey Anderson's fitness advice, god kills a kitten.

It isn't Gwenyth's "lifting regime" that keeps her looking like that - it's her genetics and probably diet.

I personally think this is a great article: 4 Things Your Girlfriend Should Know

Scroll down to the pic of Giselle and read the caption...

edit, because I realized refering to any "workout plan" supported by Tracey Anderson should be put into quotes.

i think i would not listen to her trainer. she is feeding that whole misconception and fear about women and bulking.

dont limit yourself. and dont support the killing of kittens. that is just so wrong.

gwenyth schmenyth.

Here's a practice question for anyone getting ready for the SATs:

Tracy Anderson is the Training as FloggingSully's dog is to _____

a) Brain Surgery

b) Particle physics

c) Orgainic Chemistry

d) any of the above

Tracy Anderson is a scam artist (it's landed her in prison) who makes rediculous recommendations like eating a 500 calorie a day diet, not using any spices on food because they're 'just extra calories' and claims that you should work 'accessory muscles' because they pull the 'major muscles' away so they don't look bulky.  Reading her advice will literally make you dumber.

Gwenyth Paltrow doesn't look any better now than she did before she started drinking Tracy Anderson's coolaid.

Original Post by watergirl:

gwenyth schmenyth.

 I think this is where my brilliant sister gets her wisdom from.

oh! oh! d! the answer is d!

watergirl, wait for the teacher to call on you. I totally knew the answer too.

note to self...at CC University (CCU?) wait for teacher to call on me. no blurting. i will not blurt.

*gives amethystgirl the stink eye*

you are just jealous because the teacher would have called on me first anyway...

haha thats funny because when i was at UT i was just like that in my hydro classes. i was old enough to be most everyone's mama and that definitely gives you an edge on confidence and you know...just BLURTING IT OUT .

I for one do not find Gwyneth Paltrow to be the epitome of fitness...she has no body and ndoe snot look good...IMO.  

Free weights are your friend people!  

Why won't women realize they won't look like Miss Olympia unless they train like Miss Olympia??? grrrr!

Original Post by watergirl:

*gives amethystgirl the stink eye*

you are just jealous because the teacher would have called on me first anyway...

I bet the teacher likes me more than you. I brought him an apple yesterday.

an apple...big whoop. i brought him a whole damn pie.

and its coming for your FACE!

*splat*

FOOD FIGHT!!!

*duck* missed me.

I'm going to let Sully decide who he likes best.

hey sullllllyyyyy...wanna come ride in my car?

we can go out...we can go downtown...see oprah together. c'mon dude. it'll be fun.

I'm going with Amethystgirl on this one.  I prefer not having to sleep with one eye open.

you are a wise man

*kidnaps sully in the peepmobile anyway*

*tears off out of the thread squealing tires*

I read an interview with a woman that was totally ripped.  I mean she really had not just definintion, but pretty muscular arms.  She said she lifts low weights in high reps. I was completely shocked.  i still don't buy the low weights though.  I can do about 5,393, 673 reps with a 5 pound hand weight and not fell a thing, so how on earth am I building muscle?  I use 8-15 pound weights depending on the exercise and actually can tell that I've done some work.

the low weight high rep approach sculpts muscles and the high weight low rep approach builds bigger muscles. i think you can achieve definition either way...its not an either-or deal as much as it just depends on your goals.

i like muscles and i like feeling strong. i love lifting, and i add weight when im ready for it. muscles are hot on everyone.

Original Post by watergirl:

you are a wise man

*kidnaps sully in the peepmobile anyway*

*tears off out of the thread squealing tires*

Give him back!!! And I want a peepmobile.

True story - on a weeklong drive through the Pacific NW, we affixed a peep to the bumper of the van. It rained everyday, and the peep was still there when we returned the rental.