All Women Should Lift Weights

While I was at the gym yesterday I started reflecting on my lifting journey and how it has changed me. I was sitting there in between sets thinking, “Man, every woman should learn how to lift.”

I honestly don’t think there has been a better thing for my anxiety, self-confidence, and general well-being than lifting. There is something about knowing that I can move around over a hundred pounds that makes me feel like a badass.

In addition to the general physical transformation that lifting does for your body, I have found that the internal changes and benefits of it have honestly been way more impactful for me.

Before I started lifting, I general only stuck to cardio for my workouts. While that was fine and generally did the job, it didn’t really do anything to change my mental mindset about myself or the world around me.

When I started lifting, I steadily grew more and more confident in myself. Knowing that I could put 135+ pounds on my back and squat with it or rack up 100 pounds on the bench press and press it over my body was a huge boon to my confidence.

Knowing I have the power within me to do that physical feat was positively correlated to me feeling more confident in myself and my abilities.

In addition, I have started to feel significantly less nervous being alone or walking alone. In the past (and sometimes still now), I occasionally get that feeling of dread that someone could definitely overpower me if they wanted to. While that is still true, I also know that I am a hell of a lot physically stronger than I once was and I have a lot more endurance and determination. All that combined makes me feel significantly safer while out in the world.

The point here is that I think more women need to try serious weightlifting. At our gym in Cleveland, there were a decent number of women who seriously weightlifted, but not that many. Generally speaking, most of the women tended to hang out in the cardio area or Peloton room.

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it always seemed like there was this weird invisible fence around the weights area and I have heard too many women say how intimidated or shy they feel about going and experimenting with weightlifting for fear of being ridiculed or started at.

At our gym in Atlanta, that disparity is even more pronounced. There are maybe 8 women, myself included, who I have seen seriously weightlifting. That being said, I have noticed a few more women learning the main lifts in the new year. Seeing that always makes me happy. Especially when I watch them focusing so hard on getting their form right and sympathizing with the struggle to make your body do unfamiliar movements.

Bottom line, if you haven’t tried weightlifting or have been to intimidated to try weightlifting, I’m here to give you a nudge to do it. Try it out. See what you think. Don’t worry about the judgement. It’s all in your head, I promise. People are rarely actually paying attention to other people when they are weightlifting.

A great beginning lifting program is 5 by 5. It’s a handy app with a detailed website that helps you learn the main lifts and build strength. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Look (stay with me here) look for the person in the gym who looks the most serious and is lifting heavy. In my experience, those are the most helpful and nicest people in the gym. They have a lot of experience and are generally willing to lend you a spot or a form check.

Anyway, this long blog is really to say, Ladies, it’s time to start lifting some heavy things. It’ll change your life.