because it makes you feel like a bad ass! Joking, kinda….

I strength train and believe so strongly in maintaining a well rounded strength program because I’m always tight on time. Strength training builds more muscle, taxes your cardiovascular system, and promotes fat burning better than any type of single cardio exercise. Period.

plus it looks cool!

I love progressive overload training, adding weight or reps over an extended period of time to build strength and muscle. I’ve noticed the greatest change in my body composition post kids when I started strength training. I got leaner, built muscle I never knew I had, grew a rounder booty, and got STRONGer then I’ve ever been. I will never forget how intimidated I was when I first stated lifting. I grew up thinking barbells were for men, and women should spend most of the time on the cardio machines trying to be skinny. When I entered my first lifting class at Lifetime I felt shy and embarrassed that I could hardly move the bar around. It was in this same class, on the same day, that I also felt empowered and motivated to get better. Even though the empty bar was heavy, it felt incredible to do something that felt so “off limits” to me. I was sore in places I didn’t knew I had muscles and I’ve been hooked ever since. I lost the baby weight from my first daughter quicker then I could of imagined and felt great doing so.

Through my years of strength training I’ve never been overly concerned with hitting PR’s. My focus on lifting and strength training is to make slow and steady progress over time while pushing and moving my body in different ways. Hitting PR’s is the icing on the cake, but it isn’t my ultimate goal. My goal is to enjoy my training, stay healthy and fit, and to be proud of what I do to my body. I use the barbell a few time a week and focus on the Olympic lifts. I use free weights regularly and focus on building my physique too. I incorporate core exercises everyday, and I push myself with “EMOMS and AMRAPs” to strengthen my cardiovascular system. I run when I feel like it, I row, I chase my kids around, and I get 10,000 steps a day EVERYDAY. My focus is strength based but I don’t pound the barbell or the pavement. I believe in a well rounded strength based training program and I think that’s why I don’t get burned out.

If you’r intimidated to strength train, like I was, I urge you to find someone you trust and give it a try. As we age, lifting and mobility are a HUGE component to keep us active and healthy. Ever picked something off the floor? Thats a deadlift. Sit in a chair lately? Thats a squat. Carry grocery bags in from the car? Think cleans. Functional strength training is something everyone should be working on, regardless of age, because you need it to live your life comfortably! I strength train so I can live my life easier, be more mobile, and be able to play with my kids and feel good while doing it! Still not convinced strength training is for you? Shoot me a note, I’d be happy to chat!