The majority of the women I have trained over the years all agree that before they start training with me, they DO NOT want to look bulky and muscular like a man. 

They have it etched in their brains that lifting weights for the most part makes them look bulky and big like a bodybuilder.

Truth is, women do not have as much testosterone as men, so therefore, would never come close to looking as big as men do when lifting weights.

The only way this would happen, is if they were to take antibiotic steroids...then and only then a She-Man they would become.

Now having said that, it is possible that if women are not following all components of their fitness regimen correctly, they may appear to look bulky overtime. 

The reason for this is very simple. 

They DON'T do their cardio.
They DON'T eat correctly.

When you strength train/lift weights you build muscle.  Surrounding your muscle is fat.  If all you do is strength train, you'll be expanding your fat without actually burning it off...leading to an undefined, bulky look.

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When you combine cardio to your strength training you are burning excess fat off your body which helps reveal your muscle.

When you eat healthy nutritious meals frequently throughout the day you are forcing your body to be in a fat-burning state.

It's like a 3-legged stool.

Leg # 1 - Progressive Strength Training
Leg # 2 - Consistent Cardio Exercise
Leg # 3 - Healthy Eating

You can't do just one and expect to see a difference in your body.  You MUST perform all three...no more...no less.

I see a lady at my gym that is a prime example of this. 

For the past 6 months, she's been at the gym 3x a week every week, working her butt of strength training with one of the gym's trainers. 

But unfortunately, she still has the same bulky look to her body as she did when she first started.

If she did her cardio and ate properly she would not only be strong, but strong and LEAN!

I want to say something to her, but I guess it's not my place.  Hopefully, one day she'll learn.

Anyway, always remember, to avoid the bulky look, ALWAYS be performing the 3-Legged Stool.  Got it?  Good!

Jim Coughlin is a personal trainer and the owner of Coughlin Fitness & Results, a nationwide personal training company. He is also the author of The In-Home Personal Trainer, a helpful guide to successful in-home personal training in addition to other products and many other popular fitness articles.

Jim is very passionate at motivating people to empower themselves to live a healthy lifestyle through consistent exercise and proper nutrition. He has free weekly success tips which you are welcome to subscribe to on his website http://www.fitnessandresults.com