Why does it feel like everyone is strength training these days?
For decades, strength training was seen as something for bodybuilders, athletes, or men chasing bigger muscles and not something women needed to think about.
Thankfully, thinking is finally changing, and for good reason. From bone density to metabolism to how well you move and feel as you age, strength training may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term health.
Here’s what the latest research actually says about the benefits of strength training for women.
Strength and resistance training protect your bones for life
Strength training is one of the most effective tools for building and preserving bone density, which matters enormously for women given the sharp rise in osteoporosis risk after menopause, when oestrogen decline accelerates bone loss.
Increased muscle mass boosts your metabolism.
More muscle mass means a higher resting metabolic rate, enabling your body to burn more energy even at rest, which becomes increasingly important as metabolism naturally slows with age.
Strong muscles help to protect your joints and reduce injury risk.
Strengthening the muscles around your knees, hips and core measurably improves how you move, land and change direction — directly reducing your risk of common injuries like ACL tears, which women are significantly more prone to than men.
Strength training supports hormonal and mental health.
Resistance training has a well-documented positive effect on mood, stress resilience and sleep quality, and plays a supportive role in managing symptoms through perimenopause and menopause.
Helps to build functional strength needed in everyday life.
Being strong isn’t about aesthetics; it’s about carrying your shopping, playing with your kids or grandkids, keeping up on the hiking trail, and staying independent and capable as you age.
Consistent resistance training improves your body composition sustainably.
Strength training changes your body composition in a way that’s more sustainable long-term than diet or cardio alone – reducing body fat and building lean muscle.
Thinking about starting strength training but not sure where to begin? Drop me a message
As a female coach, I'll make sure you start safely, confidently, and in a way that's built around you.
