I’ve been a personal trainer for 10 years and in allllll those years I can remember only a handful who told me they weren’t scared to lift weights and they weren’t afraid of the weight room. 

On the flipside, I can’t even count how many women have come to train with me and tell me the exact opposite.

 

They’re afraid to start lifting weights because they don’t want to look bulky

They’re intimidated by the guys in the weight room

They don’t know what to do when they get in there

They feel lost and like they don’t belong

 

They’re just straight up afraid of the weight room!

 

On the surface there are SO MANY REASONS to just stick to the cardio machines and call it a day because who wants to feel like the newbie? Who wants to wonder around looking lost in a new area of the gym? Who wants to be “that girl” who has to ask for help or ask “what the heck is a squat rack?”

I certainly didn’t and I know a lot of my clients and followers don’t either.

Trust me, when I first started using the weight room I was SCARED AS HELL!

It was intimidating! I felt totally lost! I hated feeling like I was being looked at and being judged- especially since everyone else seemed like they knew exactly what they were doing.

But  even with all that stuff, even with all those reasons why we don’t want to enter the weight room and why lifting is intimidating and scary when it comes to our health, confidence and physique, the reasons to enter the weight room and lift far outweighed the reasons not to.

I want to share five reasons why strength training is so important with you just in case you’re scared like I was and like my clients were because if you want results- I’m talking fat loss, toning, more strength and a lot more confidence, you’re going to want to start lifting and lifting heavy.

 

REASON TO LIFT #1: You’ll gain muscle and torch fat 

When we strength train, we build muscle. The more muscle we have on our body, the better because you’ll turn your body into a fat burning machine. You don’t need to worry about becoming bulky either, it won’t happen. The bodybuilders- both male and female- who end up looking blocky and bulky consume A LOT of calories, take very particular supplements and have been training very specifically for YEARS. 

 

REASON TO LIFT #2: You’ll get stronger

Lifting heavy leads to a stronger, healthier body. Not only will everyday activities like carrying groceries, your kids or other heavy things become easier, but your bones will becomes a lot stronger, too. You won’t need to ask someone to help you open that jar of pasta sauce ever again and your body will thank you ask you age (and it’s never too late to start!).

 

REASON TO LIFT #3: Your metabolism will speed up like WOAH

After a heavy, intense lifting session your body continues to burn calories at an accelerated rate long after you’ve left the gym. This called Exercise Post Oxygen Consumption, or EPOC. In contrast, when we pop on the elliptical for an hour, our body stops burning calories at a higher rate as soon as we’re done exercising.Along with that, the more muscle you have on your body the more calories your body will burn at rest. That means!!!!!!!!!!! You can eat more food without having to worry about it! Hah!

 

REASON TO LIFT #4: You’ll be happier and more confident

After just a few weeks of lifting consistently, you’ll look healthy, get fitter and get stronger. Through time, you’ll hit personal records, lift more than that Bro over there spewing bro science in the gym, and feel a huge sense of accomplishment when you start lifting weight that once scared the crap out you. 

You have the opportunity every time you step into the weight room to do something you’ve never done before and that in and of itself is a huge confidence booster, not to mention the rush of endorphin you get from a good lift.

 

REASON TO LIFT #5: You’ll decrease your risk of injury

Lots of people, women especially, will avoid the weight room because they don’t want to get hurt. I get that! But if you start where you’re at (which might mean using the 20 pound barbell or 7.5 pound dumbbells even though it feels “wussy” as some of my clients say) and you perform exercises correctly, you’ve got nothing to worry about! 

Injury happens when we don’t check our ego at the door and try to go balls to the walls before we’re ready. More importantly, you’ll cut your risk of injury outside of the gym. Lifting will help strengthen your muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons so everyday activities will be a piece of cake!

Are you convinced? Curious? Saying “All that sounds great but where the heck do I start?”  I’ve got your back.

I’m opening up a brand new program aimed at getting you totally comfortable and acclimated to the weight room. STRENGTH SCHOOL: Become a weight room warrior, is going to give you every single thing you need to get over your fears and get lifting- Yes- in the weight room.

Check out more info about STRENGTH SCHOOL HERE.

We start on Monday, October 9!