The main reason why Lou Shuler wrote NROL4W is to try to break the faulty logic behind the "if I lift heavy I'll get bulky" mindset that most women have. He got tired of seeing so many women in the gym busting thier butts doing stuff that wasn't going to benefit them. Men (those who don't use drugs, anyway) struggle to gain muscle weight while using huge loads. Yet, so many women think that if they lift a 40lbs dumbbell, or heaven forbid a barbell, they will somehow explode with giant bulky muscles. So, instead they waist thier time by doing exercises that might burn calories but do nothing to prolong thier health or improve the way that they function.
My point is saying that is this; if you find the format/program behind NROL4W to be too cumbersome, don't do it. But, don't forget the main point. And that is, that you need to spend the majority of your training time doing compound movements, heavier weights, and you need to have some way of progressing or increasing the stimulus over time.
So, if you find NROL to be kind of bothersome in its format, then try a simpler program. But, one that keeps the same basic principals in mind. Starting Strength by Rippetoe is very simple.....incredibly simple. But, its also proven to be highly effective. I'm not saying that this is the route you need to go, but you shouldn't avoid considering it simply because its supposed to be about making dudes super strong, or because it involves barbell bench pressing. You don't have to folow a program just because it says, "women" on it. And you shouldn't throw out all of the seemingly macho "mens" programs, because there really is no such thing.
Men, Women.....it doesn't matter. Fitness knows no gender bias.
Chad
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