Your question is answered in these past posts ... check 'em out ...


http://forum.lowcarber.org/t6484.html



http://forum.lowcarber.org/t17412.html

excerpt from that post ...

7. The Fear of Iron.

- Women fear muscle. Most women these days fear muscle; they "don’t want to get big." This is, of course, the most common fallacy I have experienced amongst the female populace. While this fear is partially founded in cultural and sociological influences, it also reveals a lack of realism. Women do not have the same levels of testosterone, the primary hormone that is required for increases in muscle size, and consequently will not gain excessive muscle mass.

- Women fear weight training. Lifting weights historically has been associated with men and big muscles. Interestingly, after women tell me they don’t want to get ‘big’ and they are asked if they want to get stronger, the answer is nearly always, "Yes." Women need to be educated on the benefits of weight training and the favorable changes it can have on the body and the mind. Gaining strength does not require having massive muscles.

- Women want to "tone." Most women do not fully understand what that term means. Since they hear and see it used repeatedly in the media, they think that is what they should be doing: toning. However, most women have no definite conception of what the term means. The term ‘toning’ is erroneously applied to doing countless repetitions with a submaximal weight that does not incrementally challenge the muscle. The weight must be progressively increased for muscles to change and get stronger. Increasing the resistance the muscle must move increases strength or muscle mass.

- Complete reliance on circuit-training machines. Many individuals think that circuit-training machines are all that is necessary for weight training. While they have their place for beginners and individuals with physical limitations, most of the machines do not provide compression loading for increasing bone mineral density, which is important for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Nor do they incorporate instability to increase a person’s balance and stability, which is required in most daily activities and sports performance.

- Intimidation. Because the free weights are associated with men, many women are unfortunately too intimidated to venture into the free weight area and use free weights. Many men respect the desire and commitment of women who weight train and are generally helpful in imparting advice on exercises.

{side note from Dan: Just be sure that you brush up on gym ettiquette before venturing into the weight room. If you "play by the rules" you will get fewer "glares" from the men. Maybe I will write a little article on that ...}