We meet many women who want to get strong. They want to learn how to lift. They have heard that lifting weights is beneficial for them and will take them further towards achieving their goals.

What they are hearing is absolutely right.

But what they are hearing is only just the pinnacle at the top of the mountain.

Fully understanding the ins and outs of the trek to the top is something that is not often properly discussed or understood.

Strength Training offers so many benefits to our overall lifestyle and health.

Lifting weights teaches you lessons and unveil qualities within yourself through the use of physical feedback. It will challenge your body and is a tool that will also challenge what is happening upstairs. Regardless of your time under the barbell, the more you sharpen your strength training sword by completing rep upon rep, you will learn and develop consistency. You will build confidence by understanding how much further you can push yourself. You will experience what it feels like when perseverance and effort results in success.

Lifting weights will build muscle, bone mass and density. Strength Training can change your body composition when consistently paired with nutritious/nutrient dense foods. Strength Training allows you to achieve goals in your physique.

There’s a misconception that we will turn into the She Hulk. We have many ladies here who have trained consistently for years (not to mention our coaches!) and none of us look anything like that.

Lifting weights will help you to strengthen areas of your body that may cause you pain. Lifting weights will allow you to build the strength to address pain that may have been constant and had become your “normal”. Ahem…it’s not normal for someone to be in constant pain.

Everybody should do some form of Strength Training. There are so many amazing benefits for your physical, mental and overall health.

When we talk to and meet many women, they are ready and excited to get started but often very scared and apprehensive.

They see the techniques as confusing.
They look at the weights section in their gym and get intimidated by the environment.
They might venture into the weights section but soon feel uncomfortable because of the stern serious looks of the dudes lifting there.

Ladies! You don’t have to miss out. Let’s address how some of the key factors we think you need to consider to allow you to start your Strength Training journey:

1. Understand that every lady starts somewhere:
That girl on Instagram deadlifting 140kg was also once a complete beginner. She too was once in the same position, a little unsure of what this world is about.

2. Don’t be in a rush to load up your barbell:
One of the most destructive behaviours we see is the need to want to load the barbell from week to week. Take the time learning the skill set, learning the movements and seeing & feeling how your body responds. Majority of our lifters have made PB’s by pulling back the weight and increasingly load modestly. Learn the movement and leave the ego at the door.

3. Avoid starting the first program you see online (especially something like GVT)
That program you see online is more than likely geared towards a lifter that has experience under a barbell and is with a coach. Any program that is focussing on jumps from week to week and asking you to find heavy doubles and triples is not for you as a beginner. Programs that ask you to do large working sets and reps are hard. Breakdown of technique for beginner lifters will more than likely occur which is where the danger is created.

4. Get your body & movement assessed:
Find yourself people that have worked with lifters before and can assess your body & movement, as they are currently, to understand what limitations may need to be used and what course of action needs to be taken to prepare your body for safe training.

5. Find yourself a community and have fun:
Living an active life is supposed to be fun! Something that enhances your physical and mental well being. Of course there will be times of frustration under the bar, but the good times should far outweigh the shitty. Find yourself like minded women that are travelling the same North as you. Surround yourself with people that support, encourage and inspire you to show up and give it your all.

Unsure of where to start?

Reach out.

We make em strong and we can help!