Not So Different.

The concept of training differently depending on your gender is about as true as me telling you I’ll be running a marathon next weekend. And if that didn’t clear up my answer on the matter… I am not running a marathon anytime soon.

So why is this stigma so prevalent?
Well, I’ve reduced it down to a couple reasons I believe it’s sticking around.

First, back before exercise science was really a thing, we used anecdotal evidence such as watching men train, build bigger physiques, and assumed this would happen to women.
Which there is a truth in there… if you’re a woman and then begin “training like a man” (typically meaning lifting weights) you will most likely build lean muscle mass. Being a very good thing! And before you take that as me saying you’re going to bulk up like the Hulk… assume you’re eating normal, strength training like a regular human, and not incorporating synthetic help, you will in fact not build a physique of a man nor gain copious amounts of weight.

Now a couple of those points I made will lead me into this second reason. With a fair warning that I could go on and on about; but I won’t… just the main stuff.
Nowadays, are concept and understanding is heavily influenced by non other than social media. Where you see the outliers, great lighting & photo editing, and not to mention the use of performance enhancing drugs. The synthetic help I mentioned earlier; and yes, it is very common for women in the fitness competitive/influencing sphere to be on. Also with social media, you see a lot of high level performers (athletes at collegiate & professional levels) that have been training in their specific sport for years, along with training much more than an hour a day.
I’m not even going into what all of these people eat and do to develop the muscle mass they have… if it’s even real. Because editing and A.I. is a big thing now. Remember that everything put up is what people want you to see… not real life. You’re not seeing all the boring stuff they don’t post.

Men and women can train the same. Obviously the load and form in some movements will differ (e.g., squat stance should typically be wider for women due to pelvic/hip structure), but that’s about it.
You both should lift heavy with decent intensity. You both should incorporate a good amount of volume. And you both should train in a way you enjoy.

Though, if you partake in a sport this will change the way you train. As in season demands, focus points, injury, and what type of output are you looking for.
And to note that training changes if you have a certain disease, constraints, and limitations.

If anyone is trying to sell you on gender, age, or even race specific training… slap them and run. Okay, don’t do that, but understand that they’re trying to sell/convince you nonsense.
This is a marketing scheme developed to make more money… and unfortunately preys heavily on women with “designed for women workout/nutrition plans and supplements.”

Heck, a good majority of the supplements people of either gender take is nonsense as well… but that’s for another article.

Alright, I’m finished. If you stuck through this long, I appreciate the grit.