Are these not historically masculine sports? I don't see what the real 'dilemna' is here. I know what characterizes a man. We do not need to have a Frankfurt School babble about the 'indecisiveness' of gender roles.

I'm just pressing you, and you don't have real reasons. Is history your reason now? Back people we're historically slaves in the US. We can go on.

I'm just pressing you, and you don't have real reasons. Is history your reason now? Back people we're historically slaves in the US. We can go on.

I have already told you my reasons? Why are they not 'real?'

So you are letting your emotions guide your words?  Traditionally women are emotional and men are rational.

Does it really matter this much?

You seem to think that traditional roles matter a lot when it comes to sports.  To be consistent, you should write the way that men traditionally write.

I have strong opinions on a lot of subjects. You have to be very passionate about your speaking, and rational as well.

Quote from: Jaynek

You seem to think that traditional roles matter a lot when it comes to sports.  To be consistent, you should write the way that men traditionally write.

I have strong opinions on a lot of subjects. You have to be very passionate about your speaking, and rational as well.

Well, you have mastered the passionate part.  

Quote from: Traditional Guy 20

I see nothing wrong with a woman's basketball team as long as women are on it only but football, baseball, and boxing, along with weight-lifting are definitely masculine. You think that a woman can deal with that sort of exercise? Not to mention that the gender roles should not be interchangeable. That is a Frankfurt School theory.

After researching which exercises would give me the greatest health benefits, I concluded that my fitness routine should include weight lifting.  I have bench pressed over 100 pounds.  I can dead lift at that weight too.  This might not be as much as a man lifts, but it is a significant amount and I can deal with it just fine.

I have not gotten bulky or masculine looking. It gives me firm toned muscles that are not even noticeable in the modest clothing that I habitually wear.  My husband, however, notices and is pleased.  I would expect just about any man (including "real men") to appreciate a healthy physique in his wife.

I appreciate that exercise gives me more strength and energy to apply to my duties as wife and mother.  As well as weight lifting, my fitness routine includes Pilates, walking and cycling.

Some women might enjoy lifting weights as part of their workout, but for a female there is really no health benefit to going beyond 8-10 lb hand weights at the most.  A woman can be extremely well toned without ever doing a dead lift.  Some women might not bulk, but some do, especially if they don't balance with cardio and watch their calories.  For bone health and a toned body light weights are all you need, and resistance bands and exercises that use your own body weight for resistance (pilates/planking) are really the ideal because they promote long, lean muscles which are going to appear more feminine.  

Sure, some men want a fit woman, but I hope a younger generation of girls will understand that this can be accomplished without a weight room or excessive exercise.  It's the difference between being satisfied with a trim, flat stomach and feeling the need for a defined washboard.  You absolutely cannot tell the difference in modest clothing, and as I hope to be entering a season in my life where I'll be having babies, it seems like a selfish waste of time trying to stay ripped.

The same is true for men.  Women can appreciate an effort to be healthy and in good shape, but men do not need to be vain about exercise to attract a female.  A man's strong demeanor is much more of an attractant, and a sign of "manliness" than any specific physical characteristic.  I am not sure if it is because women are wired to be less visual or what the reason is, but strength of behavior in men is paramount when it comes to attractiveness.  

Some women might enjoy lifting weights as part of their workout, but for a female there is really no health benefit to going beyond 8-10 lb hand weights at the most.  A woman can be extremely well toned without ever doing a dead lift.  Some women might not bulk, but some do, especially if they don't balance with cardio and watch their calories.  For bone health and a toned body light weights are all you need, and resistance bands and exercises that use your own body weight for resistance (pilates/planking) are really the ideal because they promote long, lean muscles which are going to appear more feminine.

In my research and in discussions with fitness professionals, I have found a consensus that weight lifting does not cause bulking up.  We just don't have enough testosterone.  That is certainly my personal experience and I see other female weight-lifters at the gym, none of whom are bulky.  There is no reason for women to avoid this exercise, although there are other forms of resistance training that can have similar benefits for women who prefer something else.  

Sure, some men want a fit woman, but I hope a younger generation of girls will understand that this can be accomplished without a weight room or excessive exercise.  It's the difference between being satisfied with a trim, flat stomach and feeling the need for a defined washboard.  You absolutely cannot tell the difference in modest clothing, and as I hope to be entering a season in my life where I'll be having babies, it seems like a selfish waste of time trying to stay ripped.

I am at a different stage of life.  I am in my 50s and starting to feel the effects of aging.  It takes more time and effort to maintain fitness than it did when I was younger.  Fortunately, most of my children are grown (my "baby" is eleven) and I have more time to spend on taking care of my health.  I'm thinking about staying out of a walker not about staying ripped.

The same is true for men.  Women can appreciate an effort to be healthy and in good shape, but men do not need to be vain about exercise to attract a female.  A man's strong demeanor is much more of an attractant, and a sign of "manliness" than any specific physical characteristic.  I am not sure if it is because women are wired to be less visual or what the reason is, but strength of behavior in men is paramount when it comes to attractiveness.  

While I agree that spiritual strength is more important than physical, I was surprised at much I was affected when my husband joined a gym and started working out.  I thought he was attractive before but he is even moreso now. I thought I was above such things, but I can really see a difference in how I respond to him.  Perhaps this would not happen to women who are more spiritually mature.