One problem with working in the bodybuilding industry, is that the focus is relentlessly on…well, bodies.  A lot of people lift because they want a leaner, more muscular, better-looking body.  Nuthin’ wrong with that: I certainly enjoy my body (and so does my husband).

But there’s so much more to it than that - especially for me, as a woman.  Quite honestly, it’s seriously cool to be strong.  I love being able to increase the weight and/or number of reps that I do for a particular exercise.  I was decidedly unathletic as a kid, and pretty much started at “-10.” Thus, it’s awesome to be able to do things that I never thought I’d be able to do: it’s been a tremendous confidence booster. 
Dec. 2007
And I have to admit: I love seeing the looks on the faces of the teenaged jocks when I ask to work in at the dip station…after slipping into a dip belt and attaching a good-sized plate. 

Believe it or not, the free weight area is a very welcoming place for women.  When I first started training seriously, I was the only female in my gym working there.  I felt very small and at the same time, very conspicuous…and I didn’t like it one bit.  I realized, however, that the only person making me feel that way was me – which made me all the more determined to work through it.  It didn’t take long, either.  I discovered there’s a lot of camaraderie on the training floor, that I never experienced when I was restricting myself to the machines.  Eventually, going to the gym was like being on “Cheers” – everybody knew my name.  I made a lot of friends there – which had a practical side too, as I was never at a loss for a spotter.

As the years have passed, I’ve seen continuous improvement.  The progress hasn’t been linear: there have been minor setbacks and plateaus, too.  The trend, however, is undeniable. I can see it in the numbers and the pictures – and in the way I think and feel.  Measuring my progress in years, rather than weeks, gives me tremendous satisfaction – I feel like I’ve truly earned the right to be the person I’ve become.  Overall, lifting has been an incredibly rewarding experience – personally, and now professionally.  

Frankly, to me the “body” part is just a fringe benefit. 

Sometimes I think it’s a little odd that I’ve been able to derive so much from simply picking heavy things up and putting them back down again.  But when you think about it: muscles are really no different than brains.  I would not want to be weak, anymore than I would want to be stupid.  Sure, not everyone can be equally smart – or strong. But we can all “study” and develop what we have – and be that much better for the experience.

Share