Mar 07 2025 73 mins 6
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Are you worried that lifting heavy will make you "too bulky"? What's holding you back from building muscle as a woman?
I'm joined by Nikki Sims, strength coach, and Chief Experience Officer at Barbell Logic, to break down why most women are leaving huge muscle and strength gains on the table and how understanding the science of muscle growth can change your fitness journey.
Nikki also shares her journey from skinny to strong, her experience with bulking and cutting phases, and the biggest lessons she's learned from coaching women for over a decade.
Today, you’ll learn all about:
02:09 - Why do many women fear their physical potential?
03:58 - The influence of media and beauty standards
07:12 - From aesthetics to strength and performance
10:49 - Strength training as a gateway to confidence
19:11 - Can you be "too strong" or "too muscular"?
27:17 - Nikki’s personal bulking and cutting experiences
32:39 - Gaining weight vs "getting fat"
39:31 - How long should you bulk?
50:33 - Building muscle even when you can't squat or deadlift
56:20 - The surprising mental health benefits of lifting heavy
1:06:19 - Why every woman should get a strength coach
1:10:00 - Outro
Episode resources:
- Beast over Burden Podcast
- Instagram: @barbell_logic
- Youtube: @BeastOverBurden
- Get a free coaching consultation with Barbell Logic: barbell-logic.com/experience
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