Tone Deaf

I bemoan the fitness industry's use of the word "tone" as a euphemism for "build muscle" when it comes to women. First,the use of this word is misleading. One builds muscle(hypertrophy) or not. One may lose muscle(through disuse or because of advancing age or because of disease.)There is no biological mechanism for "toning.". Second, it scares women into believing that lifting more than 3-5pound pink dumbbells will make them "bulky." Baloney. Getting really big muscles takes years of heavy training, the right diet,and supplemental testosterone. Oh, and the specific intent to get big muscles. I've lifted relatively heavy my entire life. I have never been accused of being bulky- but I get regular admiring glances and comments from both sexes. Third, use of this word implies that muscles on women are unacceptable. We need to change the aesthetic from "skinny" and "overweight" are acceptable, but "strong and "muscular" are not. Lift heavy. Be strong. Look good. Be healthy. Professor Henry Higgins: "By George, Eliza, the streets will be strewn with the bodies of men shooting themselves for your sake before I'm done with you.