Yesterday, I bragged about my max effort deadlift. While I am still relishing in the fact that I actually lifted that bar off the ground, I realize that some women might be saying to themselves, “So what? How does lifting a heavy bar off the ground give me that toned physique I so desire?”
I hear ya ladies – and I’ve been there. Prior to lifting heavy weights, I would often take body-pump style classes at my gym where I’d lift semi-heavy weights, but had no idea what my form was supposed to look like because no one ever showed me proper form.
On my own, I’d do bicep curls with 10 lb. weights – what a waste of time!
Eventually, I realized that I lacked direction (but mostly knowledge) when it came to lifting, so I again, spent hundreds of dollars taking classes. While the specific classes I took used light weights and mainly focused on body-weight workouts, after a few months, I hit a plateau and realized paying $20 and upwards a class to just “maintain” wasn’t worth it for me.
I wanted to look and feel strong, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. Luckily, my husband became a personal trainer. He got me interested in heavy lifting, taught me proper form and introduced me to a bunch of my idols.
One of them, Jen Comas Keck, wrote a fabulous article about why women should deadlift. Seriously, watch the video of her deadlifting 315 lbs – it’s so inspiring.
And look at her – she is not “bulky,” which is a misconception many women have about the effect of lifting heavy.
Are you still worried about the number on the scale? What’s to worry about if you look and feel great?
