Women NEED to lift weights. I’ve been writing about it since 2002, and popular media is finally behind the idea.
But not the little 5lbs dumbbells: women need to lift BIG weights to see a difference in their strength, muscle tone, and life expectancy.
Here’s why it’s especially important for women to be on the barbell regularly:
- Higher osteoporosis risk. Women are far more likely than men to develop osteoporosis later in life. What’s the only buffer against frailty? Stronger bones built through resistance training.
Women need to squat, deadlift, carry and drag heavy weights to build this kind of bone density. - Higher likelihood of seated work. Statistically, women are more likely to sit at work than men. This has been linked to all-cause mortality (that science is currently under fire). But it DEFINITELY causes lower back pain due to decreased muscular tone in the butt, hamstrings and lower back.
“Dead-butt syndrome” is a thing. Google it. - Slowing metabolism. You need muscle to eat calories. That doesn’t mean you have to look like a bodybuilder; it just means you need a lot more than “cardio” to get lean.
- Posture. As you age, your posture rounds forward. A strong lower back, hamstrings, glutes and trapezius will help keep you in an un-hunched position.
- Abs. If you want solid abs, you need to practice bracing against load. That means squats and deadlifts.
Doing power lifts doesn’t mean you’re going to be a powerlifter. It means you’re going to be strong, happy and confident.
Our six-week powerlifting course starts next Wednesday, and it’s led by a very strong woman: Jess Sally.
Register here.