I’ve always been active.
I played sports every season in high school (soccer, track and lacrosse). I danced as well (ballet, modern, jazz, tap, pointe).
I continued this into college – playing lacrosse for Haverford College and turning my love for dance into a minor at Bryn Mawr College.
But somehow I never learned about lifting weights.
In early 2009, I decided to run a marathon. Due to scheduling issues, it turned into running TWO marathons. I trained for them, I ran them, I completed them… and my body broke down.
During the second marathon, my hips and knees hurt SO BAD I wasn’t sure I’d finish. Somehow I did, but I realized that something was off.
Enter strength training.
I knew it existed but I had never done it regularly. Luckily, I had a friend who was getting certified in a slow motion weight lifting method and she enticed me to try it by offering me 6 weeks of free sessions.
After the first workout, my body felt stronger and different – it felt like a deeper working of the muscles than I had ever experienced.
I was hooked! Before I knew it, I found myself getting certified to instruct in the same method. I now fully believe that strength training is the most important thing we can do weekly to exercise our bodies.
Why I Strength Train – For Lean Muscle
You probably know strength training builds muscle. That’s the primary goal. But the #1 question I get asked by new female clients is, will this make me bulky. The answer is, almost always no.
First, everyone’s definition of “bulky” is different, but for most women adding muscle to our bodies by way of strength training will build lean muscle. We do not have enough testosterone in our bodies to “bulk up” that easily and as we add muscle, we burn more fat.
The reason we may look bulkier than we like, is because we have fat under the muscle so it makes it appear bigger and bulkier than it is.
If you strength train properly and pair that with clean eating, you will build beautiful lean muscle you can be proud of.
Why I Strength Train – To Keep My Heart And Lungs Strong
Did you know lifting weights can be a form of cardiovascular exercise?
If you do it properly, you should be moving quickly between exercises and keeping your heart rate up so that you feel like you ran a couple of miles by the time the workout is over.
Our heart and lungs are also there to support new muscle tissue and they will stay strong if our muscles are strong.
Check out this article in US News for a more detailed explanation about how you can improve your heart health with strength training. Check it out HERE.
Why I Strength Train – To Fight Off Osteoporosis
“Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.” (From https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/.)
“Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.” (From the same website as above.)
That’s a lot of people! So, what is one of the best ways to combat osteoporosis? You guessed it! Strength Training! Just look at this article by Harvard Medical School: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/strength-training-builds-more-than-muscles
“Numerous studies have shown that strength training can play a role in slowing bone loss, and several show it can even build bone. This is tremendously useful to help offset age-related declines in bone mass. Activities that put stress on bones can nudge bone-forming cells into action. That stress comes from the tugging and pushing on bone that occur during strength training (as well as weight-bearing aerobic exercises like walking or running). The result is stronger, denser bones.”
These three reasons (plus many more) are why I prioritize strength training into my fitness routine. What are the reasons you strength train? Comment below.
For a few of my favorite books on slow motion weight lifting, click HERE
For more information on the strength training method I personally use and how I coach my clients, click HERE
(Me and my running partner, Elaine, after my second and final marathon. I’m not sure if I’m laughing or crying!)