Ask the Personal Trainer Joni Hyde is a Certified Personal Trainer and owner of WorkoutsForWomen.com Q. I am taking an advanced womens' weight lifting class at my health club. The instructor is an exercise physiologist. We are learning about "pyramiding" with the weights and she recommended 3 sets beginning with 12 reps, then 8, then 6. We are to increase the weight with each set by 5-10 pounds. Will this sort of workout make me bulkier? I'm trying to achieve a well-toned body with muscle definition. I do not want to be big and bulky. I am 5'8" and weight 170 but I am also in the process of losing weight. My goal is 145. I value your input. -- Lee Anne A. I can assure you that it is a myth that women can build big muscles without using some type of synthetic aid. We have only 10 percent of the testosterone that men do. However, some women do have a body type that has the capability of becoming bigger then they really would like to from certain types of training. That being said, the type of training you are currently doing is definitely geared toward building strength and size. Again, the results will greatly depend on your body type. If you are looking to lean up and achieve a very shapely, not bulky look, I would recommend a different type of training plan for you. The routine I’d suggest would involve a 20 repetition concept set up as a circuit with no rest between sets. This would keep your heart rate up and get yield a feminine look. Other recently asked questions: • Do I gain the same benefits from woman’s push-up as I would if I did men’s straight leg push-ups? • I want to exercise but with three children I just feel too guilty to take another hour away from my children. Any advice? • I travel a lot for business, what exercises can I do in my hotel room? WorkoutsForWomen.com provides home exercise programs for today's busy women, under the guidance of a certified personal trainer.