Weights - which best for definition & not bulking up?

[Boybert]

I would like to gain better definition, especially in my upper body. My lower body develops much faster, so I really don't want much added there except maintaining the good tone I have. I thought I'd ask you smart ladies what seems best. Thanks!

Debbie :7

 

[hippahips]

I love PH and CTX-UB split. PH remains the most challenging of Cathe's endurance workouts. It hasn't been easy adding weights to my starting weights, and whatever I've added hasn't been much. That's how tough it is for me.

Pinky

 

[Stacy]

I think "bulking" is in some way genetic. I've also found that some will think their muscles are bulking, but it's really a layer of fat. That being said, I don't think any of Cathe's strength series with the exception of Slow&Heavy are heavy and slow enough in the bodybuilding definition (heavy = 4-6 reps) to really get too worried about "bulking". I think if you concentrate on lifting as heavy as you can, and eat a slightly lower cal diet filled with fresh fruis and veggies, as well as including ample cardio, you cant go wrong!

Good Luck!

 

[kathryn]

I agree with Stacy: much of "bulking" is genetic.
It also depends on how you eat. If you train heavy and eat more, you will grow muscle. If you train heavy and don't eat more, then you will tend to get firm and lose fat, but you won't build as much.

If you are the type who bulks easily, then you may want to stick with mostly total body, moderate=weight workouts like PH or ME, or with weight/cardio combos (when bodybuilders are looking to build muscle, they often reduce their cardio), like Circuit Max.

 

[scm]

I lift as heavy as I can and don't bulk. I do have lots of (upper body) definition though. But, Push Pull is a total body workout (which has upper and lower body premixes) and light(er) weights are used. The stability ball is incorporated in this w/o, a generally Cathe doesn’t go too heavy when we're on it.

 

[CurlyQ]

High rep, moderate weight causes hypertrophy (ie, increased size in the circumference of the connective tissue and muscle) which is why body builders use this form of training. Lifting heavy for short reps (6-8)increases strength and muscle size (somewhat). That being said, you should really try to incorporate both types of training since you need to strengthen your connective tissue (tendons) to support the increase in muscle size. Bulking is really more of an issue if you have an abnormal amount of testosterone (which I doubt you do since you'd def. know) or if you have excess body fat that may appear to be bulk...I hope that wasn't too confusing