I've Been Lifting for 40 Years. Here's the Truth About Getting "Bulky"

What actually causes the “bulky” look people blame on lifting? I’ve been lifting weights for over 40 years, and I want to finally put the fear of getting “bulky” to rest. In this episode, I break down what really happens when you lift, why muscle actually makes you leaner, and how women have a built-in advantage when it comes to staying sculpted. I also share exactly how I balance training, nutrition, and recovery to build strong, toned muscle that supports powerful aging. What you’ll learn: (00:10) Why lifting weights does not automatically make your body bigger or bulkier. (02:35) How muscle acts like “metabolic Spanx” to tighten and support your body. (03:19) Why building muscle improves insulin sensitivity and fat burning. (04:07) How progressive overload is the key driver of muscle growth. (06:42) Why compound movements should come before isolation exercises. (09:21) How training close to failure supports results without overtraining. (12:34) Why mobility work matters more than stretching before lifting. (16:36) How protein, carbohydrates, and recovery work together to build muscle. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/lifting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices