Give Weightlifting a Chance to Change Your Life

Don't let your old age be a prison

You’ve walked by the weightlifting area every week for a year on your way to your cardio pump class. You always glance at the people lifting weights – some are standing in front of the mirror with a laser-like focus, others are grimacing, sweating, and grunting or even yelling as they hoist large weights over their bodies. If people see you, you imagine them laughing inside because clearly you don’t belong there. You’re just passing by. But you know how to {Read More…}

Leaping Over Mental Barriers to Fitness

IMG_2046ed

The fitness industry can be confusing, misleading, and scary. Or it can be full of wisdom and encouragement. What’s your perspective? Leah Segedie  (@bookieboo) over at Mamavation.com asked her blogger audience to write a post about what could make the fitness industry more approachable and friendly to everyone. As she explains in her widely read blog, she was previously overweight and extremely intimidated by working out in gyms. Everyone seemed to be thin and/or athletic and she felt very self-conscious {Read More…}

Vanity Rocks! Let Weights Lift You Up

radio-sexy1

Vanity rocks. I tweeted this a few months ago and knew it could be misinterpreted. But the response I got from a few women told me they understood. I love the word vanity. It’s filled with negative connotations, but I’ve taken ownership of it and changed its meaning. This word represents everything weight training has given me. And once you have healthy vanity, it changes your life forever. You can not go back. Vanity and weight lifting go together so {Read More…}

What’s Holding You Back from Lifting Weights?

lat-pulldown

Ever since my post about the hidden benefits of weight lifting, I have been intrigued by the barriers keeping people from lifting or getting the most out of lifting. I heard from people who echoed the following myths or said they’d heard them. Are you buying into any of these misconceptions? Myth: Runners should not weight train Many runners think bigger muscles will slow them down; however, weight lifting can actually improve your running performance and also help to prevent injuries. A {Read More…}

Owning the Weight Room – and Your Strength

SuzanneDre

I’ve been lifting weights on and off for 15 years. I blog about what’s worked for me and what I’ve learned on my own and as a personal trainer. I know how to get stand-out muscle definition, how to lift safely, and how to eat clean. There are two more things I know about: How to have fun lifting weights, and how to be a woman in the weight room. Many, many women are intimidated by the weight room. Both {Read More…}

Growth in the Gym Not Just About Muscles

iStock_000010497750XSmall

When you’re ready to grow in some aspect of your life, you usually know on some level that means trying something new. Whether it’s your job, your relationships, or the way you manage your finances, you know when it’s time to adjust your focus and learn. Your workout routine needs to grow just like other areas of your life, so why do we walk past those mystery machines in the gym day after day and always forget to bring those {Read More…}