Questions:
I’m a 24 year old woman and I just started going to the gym. I’m new, a bit nervous, so I looked up a workout plan.
However I found that a lot of workout plans for women were very butt and glute heavy. I don’t want this. Is it okay for a woman to just start following a mens fitness routine, or is this a bad idea?
Answer:
As a 24-year-old woman starting to work out at the gym, I think it's perfectly fine to follow a "men's" fitness routine if that better aligns with your goals and preferences. Here are a few thoughts on that:
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Gender-specific workout plans are often oversimplified. The fundamentals of building muscle, improving cardiovascular fitness, and getting stronger are the same regardless of gender.
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Many "women's" workout plans focus heavily on things like glute bridges, hip thrusts, and other exercises to build a more pronounced backside. But not every woman wants that as their primary fitness goal.
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Following a more balanced, full-body routine focused on compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, bench press, etc. can be an excellent approach for women looking to build overall strength and muscle tone without necessarily prioritizing the glutes/booty.
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The most important thing is finding a program that challenges you, that you enjoy, and that helps you work towards your specific health and fitness goals - whether that's a "men's" plan or a more general, gender-neutral one.
The key is to not get too caught up in gendered workout categories. Focus on finding a program designed by qualified trainers that provides progressive overload, targets all the major muscle groups, and leaves you feeling strong and energized.
Don't be afraid to experiment until you find the right fit. You can always modify existing plans to better suit your needs and preferences as well. The gym should be an empowering, confidence-building experience, so do what feels right for you.