One of the biggest myths in fitness is that you have to lift heavy to build muscle.
The research doesn't actually say that.
Study after study has found that light, moderate, and heavy weights can all produce similar muscle growth-provided you're training with enough effort and getting close to muscular fatigue.
Heavy weights are one effective way to do that, but they're not the only way.
In my opinion, the reason so many weightlifters and online trainers still say you can't build muscle without heavy weights is because of how they're taught. I know this because I am an NASM certified personal trainer.
When you become a certified personal trainer, the education is centered around heavier weight lifting. You're not taught a comprehensive system for building muscle primarily with lighter weights or bodyweight.
That's something I had to figure out through years of experimenting, studying the research, and seeing what actually worked in practice.
So when you hear trainers insist that heavy lifting is the only way to build muscle, remember-they're teaching the methods they were trained in. That doesn't mean they're the only methods supported by the evidence.
I'm a NASM certified personal trainer with a degree in exercise and 15 years training experience.
...
Efficient, effective workouts for strong, confident women.
I’m Coach Kel — certified fitness trainer, Pilates specialist, and mom on a mission to help women feel their best. My on-demand method blends Pilates, Barre, Sculpt, and HIIT into aesthetic, results-driven classes you can do anytime, anywhere.
✨ Start your free trial: https://join.fitbycoachkel.com/join_us
The research doesn't actually say that.
Study after study has found that light, moderate, and heavy weights can all produce similar muscle growth-provided you're training with enough effort and getting close to muscular fatigue.
Heavy weights are one effective way to do that, but they're not the only way.
In my opinion, the reason so many weightlifters and online trainers still say you can't build muscle without heavy weights is because of how they're taught. I know this because I am an NASM certified personal trainer.
When you become a certified personal trainer, the education is centered around heavier weight lifting. You're not taught a comprehensive system for building muscle primarily with lighter weights or bodyweight.
That's something I had to figure out through years of experimenting, studying the research, and seeing what actually worked in practice.
So when you hear trainers insist that heavy lifting is the only way to build muscle, remember-they're teaching the methods they were trained in. That doesn't mean they're the only methods supported by the evidence.
I'm a NASM certified personal trainer with a degree in exercise and 15 years training experience.
...
Efficient, effective workouts for strong, confident women.
I’m Coach Kel — certified fitness trainer, Pilates specialist, and mom on a mission to help women feel their best. My on-demand method blends Pilates, Barre, Sculpt, and HIIT into aesthetic, results-driven classes you can do anytime, anywhere.
✨ Start your free trial: https://join.fitbycoachkel.com/join_us