How strong can women NATURALLY get, by lifting weights?

Question

Can they naturally get stronger than most men, OR would women have to be on steroids to get stronger than some men?

englisc · Accepted Answer

There have been studies done on this. One for example tested grip strength because that's an indicator of overall strength. They took average untrained men/women and also trained men/women, including some elite female athletes in sports which require high levels of grip strength such as judo.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17186303

From the study:

"Hand-grip strength has been identified as one limiting factor for manual lifting and carrying loads. To obtain epidemiologically relevant hand-grip strength data for pre-employment screening, we determined maximal isometric hand-grip strength in 1,654 healthy men and 533 healthy women aged 20-25 years. Moreover, to assess the potential margins for improvement in hand-grip strength of women by training, we studied 60 highly trained elite female athletes from sports known to require high hand-grip forces (judo, handball). Maximal isometric hand-grip force was recorded over 15 s using a handheld hand-grip ergometer. Biometric parameters included lean body mass (LBM) and hand dimensions. Mean maximal hand-grip strength showed the expected clear difference between men (541 N) and women (329 N). Less expected was the gender related distribution of hand-grip strength: 90% of females produced less force than 95% of males. Though female athletes were significantly stronger (444 N) than their untrained female counterparts, this value corresponded to only the 25th percentile of the male subjects. Hand-grip strength was linearly correlated with LBM. Furthermore, both relative hand-grip strength parameters (F (max)/body weight and F (max)/LBM) did not show any correlation to hand dimensions. The present findings show that the differences in hand-grip strength of men and women are larger than previously reported. An appreciable difference still remains when using lean body mass as reference. The results of female national elite athletes even indicate that the strength level attainable by extremely high training will rarely surpass the 50th percentile of untrained or not specifically trained men."

So highly trained natural women (these will be women taking part in sports with tests for steroids) are still often not as strong as 50% of untrained men.

Some female powerlifters may be stronger, however elite powerlifters are always on steroids. There's no way you can get that strong naturally, it's not possible, as much as steroid users/fake naturals like to accuse people of being too lazy or weak whenever they're accused of using. That's one reason why people might say otherwise.

Another reason is simply because today in our feminist society acknowledging sex differences is "sexist", so saying that men are naturally stronger than women is sexist (unless those feminists are trying to justify helping female victims of domestic violence more than male victims, then they'll change their tune to suit). Our generation was raised on video games and movies where some woman can beat up and overpower multiple men twice her size with ease also. So these people's ideas on this are unrealistic.

Flamdring · Accepted Answer

Women who work out can get stronger than some men, there is no doubt about that. However, only a few women will ever get stronger than most men and it will be thanks to the anomalies in their genes e. g. Caster Semenya. Like all animals we humans suffer from sexual dimorphism, but whereas in most animals females are larger than males, in most mammals and birds it is the other way around.

Since an average man is substantially larger than average woman, has larger muscle mass, larger and stronger bones, and is faster in general, it puts women at a big physical disadvantage. I am not saying that women cannot be stronger than men, but simply lifting weights will not be enough to beat - most - men. Only genetics and potentially steroids can make the playing field more even, but even then no woman has ever been stronger or larger than the biggest men out there. This is why most sport disciplines where physical strength is required keep female and male athletes separated.

A simple example: find an average couple that has never been into any sport including lifting weights. Ask the man to lift the heaviest weight he can, then ask the woman to do the same. I am nearly 100% sure that the woman will not be able to lift the same weight as the man unless she has genetic anomaly.

Felinegirl · Accepted Answer

Women who work out seriously, will probably end up stronger than most men. However, if a woman and a man both put in the same amount of effort, he'll usually be stronger.

When I was 12, there was one girl in my class who was the shortest of the whole class. We had this arm wrestling competition, and she won from every single guy in our class AND the year above. Including the ones who had already been through their growth spurt. I still remember watching the show, with all those egos crushed by this tiny girl.

She's still badass, and the sweetest person I know.

HomoFuge · Accepted Answer

Women can become very strong by lifting weights just like men can. However, in comparison to a physically fit man they can never be stronger. This is because biologically women have a lower testosterone level than men. Testosterone helps increase muscle mass. That's why many men and women in the fitness industry take steroids. Steroids basically increase testosterone levels to ridiculous portions which makes it very dangerous when taken recklessly.

Massageman · Answer

Collectively and on the average, women are the weaker sex when it comes to physical lifting.

But I digress - - - -

Just a quick plea - don't take steroids. I took medically needed steroids for two days - two measly days- to "jump start" the battle against some inflammation (caused by a doctor's error). I was totally "wired"- I slept about 4 hours total over three days. Plus, the steroid helped an infection take root and that infection- in turn- cause an eye problem, for which I had to stay dilated for a week (read that, "no driving") and take- of course- more steroids. So, 7 weeks and 5 doctors later, things are finally starting to settle down. So - please don't take steroids if you possible can! Thank you,

Ad_Quid_Orator · Answer

According to this study:  the average fat free body mass index (FFBMI) of a female elite athlete is ~19 with the highest being 22. The Average FFBMI of a man who doesn't work out is also 19. Now, FFBMI is adjusted for height and girls are on average shorter so most girls couldn't be as strong as the average man while maintaining a slim physique. That said, there is a misconception about the "Natty limit". A study looking at bodybuilders from the pre-steroid period is often cited as saying it's impossible for someone to have an FFBMI over 25. What it actually said was that a guy can't have a FFBMI of over 25 at 10% body fat. If someone has a body fat percentage of over 10%, then they can have a FFBMI greater than 25. So you could get stronger than the average male without using steroids but you couldn't have a slim build as well.

SuperManiac · Answer

If we're talking about basics, then a trained woman can beat an untrained man in many motions. I've seen 130lbs girls deadlift 300+ lbs, and that's far beyond what the average man can do. But there are limits around the peak. Apparently, even the world's strongest female athletes only have the grip strength of around the average man.

And I've even seen hardcore feminist types saying people like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce just didn't "train hard enough" while dismissing the biological differences. And I think that's very insulting, and assuming a whole lot. I even beat Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's world record getting under 10.5 secs when I was the sprinter on my track team, and that's not saying much. I wasn't anywhere close to the Olympic level as far as men go, but I did beat the women's world record at under 10.5 secs.

And that's working around the limits. Yes, a trained woman at anything can beat an untrained man at anything. But it's unlikely to see a world's best man at anything bested by a world's best woman at the same thing. Those are the practical limits. And I don't find it that interesting to draw conclusions about individuals, because we're not usually dealing with the world's best someone in most scenarios.

Kaazsz · Answer

A woman without steroids, could probably bench press around 225lbs, maybe more I’m not sure. Squat like 350-400lbs, deadlift 4-500.

Most men can’t come close to those numbers. But a woman pulling those numbers is probably a pretty serious lifter. Most men who lift in the gym don’t even lift that much. Mostly because they lift incorrectly and follow bullshit bodybuilding garbage. But yea most guys even in the gym are weak. So yes there are many strong women out there who are stronger than the overwheimg majority of men.

Women on steroids can lift a lot more than that. But often times even the strongest women on steroids, their top lifts are about as strong as the top lifts of a man not on steroids.

On steroids I know there’s women bench pressing around 400. Squatting like 600, deadlifting around 700.

I think most men, with serious training, could reach those numbers without drugs. Except the bench press. Not everyone has the genetics to bench 400. But 600lb squat, 700 deadlift would be reachable for a serious lifter in my opinion.

Now compare to men on drugs, bench pressing 700, squatting and deadlifting 900-1000+ and you see how much the drugs boost you.

Anpu23 · Answer

When you talk about "most men" are you talking the average guy who does not work out?
If so, yes she can easily exceed him physically.
Against other men who also sork out, no they have some physical advantages that give them a leg up.
Even at the highest levels of competition guys out run, out lift and out perform women (except in very long distance running think 100 mile foot races or more then the advantages disappear). But just because the strongest woman in the world is weaker then the strongest man, she is much stronger than the average guy and can easily out perform him.
Steroids are not really a factor as most professional athletes are tested regularly.

Nik1hil · Answer

Nope, they're still WEAKER than most men..

But strength isn't determined by how hard you can hit or endure physical damage..

It's determined by tolerance of pain..
Which women's body can endure a lot easily..

Bottom line.. Female body is a hell lot stronger than Men..
It can carry a baby which feeds like a parasite of its nutrition..
And even after birth she feeds him and still is capable of loving the infant..
That's true strength..

I mean look at men..
If few worm parasite get in our intestine..
We are done..
Lying sick on Bed

BCA6010 · Answer

Assuming that you're comparing men and women who are actively working out, and not fit women to couch potato men, then men will almost always be stronger because of biological differences. This is also a major factor in the debate over whether transexuals (specifically men surgically altering themselves to look like women) should be allowed to compete in womens' sports leagues. Otherwise, it wouldn't be an issue at least not in that regard.

BeMuse · Answer

Woman pulling a small plane… A small nerdy Mythbuster man pushed a plane fuselage on a train cart that was a little smaller than this in one of their episodes. Man pulling large plane

KaitieSearching · Answer

They can get stronger than weak men, on par with average men AT BEST, and will always be weaker than the strongest men. This is due to the amount of muscle our physical frame can carry, testosterone, and fast v slow twitch muscle proclivities, all of which differ between the sexes. It’s not for lack of trying. Steroids may increase muscle mass, but will not necessarily increase strength. Unfortunately, if you want a more even playing field, you’re gonna have to carry a gun.

mattdzz · Answer

Women's lower body is somewhere around 80% the strength of a man of equal weight, while their upper body is somewhere around 40%. You can train your legs to be as strong as a guy your size, but as girls are rarely 180lbs+ (unless they're obese) that's not going to beat out most guys. And as far as upper body a girl will probably be weaker than most guys with the exception of some specialized movements which require practice (assuming she'd be compared to a guy who doesn't lift).

lightbulb27 · Answer

Define strength? Testosterone builds the muscle as I undersatnd it, but gotta use the muscle. So the top girl can be stronger than many guys, but likely never stronger than the top male (assuming no drugs).
Girls have other giftings like multi processing ability, focus (female snipers, video game players), etc..

I suspect genes are a factor here...

Shutupman · Answer

You can definitely become stronger than some men with training not just exclusively weight training. I know I’ve beaten men before. Not all men workout or are strong. Just because they could potentially develop more muscle mass and faster doesn’t mean they use their potential. Hard work beats talent without hard work.

asd_nasa · Answer

While your average woman is certainly capable of getting stronger than some or even most men, doing so will take a lot more effort than a guy to achieves the same level of strength. Testosterone helps build muscle, when men lift, they’re body produces more testosterone to help their muscles grow and repair. This means woman are naturally at a severe disadvantage. So basically a woman will have to put in much more protein and exercise to achiever the same results as a man would

Thatsamazing · Answer

So... the problem with your poll options is that, "they can get stronger than some men" and "nope, they're still weaker than most men" are actually the same answer, just worded differently, due to the switching of "stronger than some" and "weaker than most.' Those two things mean the same thing.

... so...
Anyway, that's the answer. They will still be weaker than most men but can get stronger than some.

ThisIsMyOpinion · Answer

A women who trains a lot will be stronger than the average men. If you are trainning for strength then, if we are considering the average guy, sure most will be weaker than you. No question! You can believe this.
Of course a guy that also trains fairly often will most likely be stronger than you. This is not demeaning or underestimate you girls, it's just biology as unfair as it is.

F4LC0N45 · Answer

I'd say it just depends on how hard you work. If you're determined to be strong then you can be strong. There are a lot of men that aren't training in anyway and that most likely means you'll wind up stronger than them most likely. Men that do train... Well I'm not so sure about that one but its still all about how hard you work.

Walrus_au · Answer

Even the most low on the pole female weightlifter is going to be stronger than the largest portion of men in the world for example.

If you are comparing like to like - say male and female weightlifters, the way I understand it at the moment, an individual may fall anywhere in the range above or below others, but the population trend has the average of the men being slightly stronger than the average of the women.

Daniel3035 · Answer

They can get just as strong as men or stronger there is no actual difference in physical strength the difference is in testosterone which allows men to gain a small amount of strength from training compared to women but the difference is so small it's like a 4.5 -14.5% advantage. The only reason men are stronger then women is because women dont work out and most girls dont want muscular arms.

White-American89 · Answer

No. The average man tends to be stronger than the strongest women. We see this in the military where the best veterean female soldiers & marines struggle to complete basic training new male recruits go through.

JayParris · Answer

At about a year into lifting, a woman should be able to squat the same amount of weight as a man her same body weight. Upper body lifts will all be weaker. Past one year, the man will surpass her in all lifts

How strong can women NATURALLY get, by lifting weights?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How strong can women NATURALLY get, by lifting weights?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.