The Female Strength Training Movement

There's a movement that's sweeping through the fitness community. Although it's not a new concept, it's finally reaching the masses and making it's way into gyms and studios across the country. Thanks to resources like Girls Gone Strong, women are finally realizing the role that strength training should play a role in their training routine. Hopefully the days of steady state cardio routines and going to the gym just for the spin classes are over.

I'd like to say the myths associated with women strength training are gone as well. Statements like 'I don't want to get bulky' and 'I don't want to put on muscle, I just want to get toned' are unfortunately still heard by trainers every day from new clients. I always stress the importance of strength training as a key component on transforming their bodies, getting healthier, moving better, and just generally feeling better about themselves. Progressing through squat and deadlift variations, I always enjoy the reactions from my female clients when they hit a PR, or are finally able to squat past parallel. Accomplishments that they couldn't realize pounding away on the treadmill or working on machines. Big, compound movements such as some variation of the squat, deadlift, clean & press and pull ups should be incorporated into a program that also includes conditioning.

The self confidence and excitement I see from most of my female clients when they finally squat their body weight, or get through a set of heavy kettlebell snatches with perfect form, or are finally able to do a strict pull up makes my day. When a client hits her PR on deadlift and tells me to throw on 10 more pounds or hits a sticking point on bench press and tells me not to touch it; I know she's caught the bug. I know that coming to the gym means something different to her now. She's set goals for herself. She sees the changes, feels different, more healthy and confident. It's a great transformation to witness, both physically and emotionally.

Some strong women to follow. These are the founders of the Girls Gone Strong movement:

http://www.niashanks.com/

http://www.myomytv.com/

http://www.jencomaskeck.com/

http://www.negharfonooni.com/

http://allimckee.com/

http://www.julialadewski.com/

http://mollygalbraith.com/