I’m glad you all liked the article(s).
And if there are more that do and are not posting it here, I encourage you to write a note to Reader Mail to let 'em know that you liked it. AND want to see more of this sort a thing in this mag.
Thank you.
While I enjoyed reading most of the article, I do have some questions.
Does anyone think that these articles are promoting the stigma discussed by providing articles “for women”? As a man, that is impossible for me to answer on some levels.
What makes training & dieting different for women than for men? Just psychological and societal differences? If, so, which ones? (Possibly for future Roundtables?)
Would a roundtable of “common” men be as interesting, or do the weekly articles reflect enough of the common man’s feelings and attitudes?
What would it take to get some female contributors to T-Mag?
I also miss the Real People, Real Muscle articles.
Jared, since no one else has tried, I’ll take a stab at your post.
[quote]While I enjoyed reading most of the article, I do have some questions.
Does anyone think that these articles are promoting the stigma discussed by providing articles “for women”? As a man, that is impossible for me to answer on some levels. [/quote]
How would a article like this one, continually promote the stigma (that was discussed)? In all actuality, this article is the exact opposite of what is usually discussed in fitness rags. Good example: compound exercises (despite the fact that isolation exercises were used in the accompanying pics), were being suggested NOT wee isolation exercises. All told, I felt the article was more of a celebration of feminity as being strong - not weak and demure. Again, total opposite of what is usually discussed in female weight training. Even now, in the 21st Century, believe it or not.
Both. Sometimes more of one or the other. And depends on the person.
Women have to fight TWO battles usually. We have to fight what the media constantly TELLS us to look like and what, in our minds, we feel we SHOULD look like (and behave like).
Which is why it’s a relief to just give into being an athlete or strength athlete. The only expectations you deal with is that of your own. And you base that by your progressions of your performance as an athlete. That’s so much more satisfying.
Didn’t think T-Mag was about the “common man” but more directed to the individual striving to be more than just “common”.
This is up to T-Mag’s Powers That Be.
You have a suggestion as to who would make a worthy topic? Send it to Shugs.
Excellent points jared.
I would like to see more articles like that, especially replete with pics of vixens…
Hi all,
Patricia did a wonderful job answering Jared q’s and I’d also like to add to them
- While I enjoyed reading most of the article, I do have some questions.
Does anyone think that these articles are promoting the stigma discussed by providing articles “for women”?
1a) I don’t believe this supports that stigma at all. This article was intended to show an insight into real women and weight training for both men and women. It wasn’t meant to be a piece that would only appeal to one sex. It helped introduce more women to T-mag and show them that the training principles often outlined in the articles can be applied to them as well. Some women may find it easier to understand what training and nutrition is needed to reach their weight training goals by hearing it from women who practice it themselves. On the other hand, it also showed some men out there that T-mag can be VERY useful for their wives/girlfriends/buddies etc. and in turn they would share the wealth of info in T-mag with these lucky gals.
- What makes training & dieting different for women than for men? Just psychological and societal differences? If, so, which ones? (Possibly for future Roundtables?)
2a) Psychological and societal differences are definitely some of the reasons training is made to appear different for women, but in truth, as Patricia tells us every day, women and men have no reason to train differently. If women have the same goals as men, i.e. to develop lean muscle and lose unwanted body fat, they must train seriously with weights and use many types of compound exercises that provide the most stimulus and growth possible. Then there is the aspect of periodization and cycling the training to meet different goals, and always striving to improve past performance.
When it comes to dieting, there are some aspects that make women different than men, but for the most part, consistency and dedication are the keys for everyone. If you want to lose weight you need to increase energy output and decrease/adjust caloric intake; if you want to gain muscle, you need to fuel your body with the correct proportions of nutrients to enable your body to grow.
- Would a roundtable of “common” men be as interesting, or do the weekly articles reflect enough of the common man’s feelings and attitudes?
3a) This seems to imply that the t-vixens in the roundtable are common, when that is the farthest from the truth. The vixens profiled in the roundtable are not your average woman. They are women who want to be more than “common” . They set a positive example for the women in the world who respect their bodies and want to improve their athletic and aesthetic nature. As was mentioned above, these women are those that have spent countless hours learning about training, nutrition and have applied it to their actions in the gym (or playing field). They are telling us all that this game of athletic improvement is not an easy one. It is one that requires strength, courage, and commitment. This ain’t no kiddie game guys and gals, it’s real life!
- What would it take to get some female contributors to T-Mag?
4a) I believe there has been some female contributors to T-Mag. The regular contributors thus far, are those that submit articles because they want to, and they have a desire to convey their knowledge. I don’t think that TC rejects articles written by women, but instead, articles by females just don’t pass across his desk that often. I’m sure he would be delighted to accept an article by a female if it was written well and had content that would appeal to the t-mag reader (i.e: good training, solid nutrition). So, ladies, here’s your cue: Pull out that laptop and start writing! Send it to TC and see your name in print!
That’s all for now,
Thanks, Cassandra
Anti, I actually had few points, but many questions. 
First off, my reason for asking if this article furthered that “women are different” stigma is because the article could be seen by some as an article directed to women. Why would women train the same as men if we had to write articles directed towards women? It seemed a little contradictory, but I think Cass and Patricia cleared it up quite well.
Also, my choice of the word “common” was assuming way too much about humankind. Maybe I should have said “common T-man”, as you women (who contributed to the roundtable) are definitely far above common. I in no way intended to imply that you were not. Nevertheless, you answered this question effectively as well.
I would love to read more diet and training articles by women. That’s why I asked that question, as I see no way to make female-penned articles magically appear. 
I think it would be an excellent way to draw more women in while showing that they are, in fact, no different from men in their diet and training needs.
I would also like to thank the women that did contribute to the roundtable; this article (both parts) will inspire many, both men and women, to better themselves.
Ladies & Chris,
The T-Vixen series rocked! Great job. Now if guys would just stop telling me that squats and deadlifts would make me HUGE…
Stella