If you’ve ever gone to the gym and thought that Pilates reformers and treadmills were for girls, while squat racks and dumbbells were for boys, we need to talk about it.
Make no mistake, we are all about mobility work and cardio. And it’s no secret that Pilates is deceptive hard! But women can benefit so much from dedicated time for strength training.
Surprised? It’s true. Lifting weights isn’t just about bulking up. Strength training actually helps you feel healthy, strong, capable and confident in everyday life. Not to mention it’s beneficial for your bones, hormones, and longevity as you age. Not to mention, it can create a better quality of life during your golden years.
So if you haven’t incorporated weights into your workout routine, now is the time to start. Below we’ll look at what a strength training system is, why you need one, and how to get started.
Let’s go.
What is strength training for women?
Strength training is a type of exercise that uses resistance to build muscle mass and promote overall health. This resistance usually consists of free weights, but it can also include resistance bandsmachines or even your own body weight.
When we talk about bodybuilding for women, we’re not talking about becoming chiseled bodybuilders. This probably isn’t the aesthetic you’re looking for.
Luckily, lifting weights several times a week won’t turn you into Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, it’s very difficult to build a physique that looks even vaguely bulky or masculine. So no, you don’t have to worry about doing it by accident.
Instead, strength training for women is more about how you feel. Yes, you’ll look great, but the real magic is in the powerful health benefits that come with building muscle.
Here’s why it’s so important for women:
Why is strength training important for women?
Traditional “girl” workouts only burn calories
If we are Really Honestly, there is a pretty obvious divide between traditional “male” and “female” workouts. Women are often encouraged to focus on long cardio sessions, high-rep/low-weight workouts, and mobility-based exercises.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Activities like long-distance running and Pilates are great for burning calories and gaining flexibility. However, on their own, they build very little muscle. This means you may lose weight, but you might also experience muscle loss along the way.
That’s why it’s so important to combine these typical “girl workouts” with regular strength and resistance training. Lifting weights helps preserve and build muscle, which balances weight loss and creates a more sculpted and defined appearance.
Muscle gives structure to your body. As you lose fat, this space is filled with strong, toned (not bulky) muscle, helping to prevent sagging skin or a sunken look. The result is an overall firmer silhouette and skin that appears plumper and smoother.
Builds lean muscle mass and boosts metabolism
One of main benefits of strength training builds muscle. When you lift weights, your muscles are put under controlled stress, which helps them become stronger, denser and more resilient.
This means that by burning calories, you preserve your muscles instead of losing them. And as an added bonus, strength training boosts your metabolism, making it much easier to maintain a healthy weight over time.
Supports hormonal balance
Bodybuilding is also super beneficial for hormonal regulation. This is especially important for women, whose hormones naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and at different stages of life. Think about perimenopause and menopause.
When you lift weights, your muscles act like a sponge for glucose (aka sugar), removing it from the bloodstream and using it for energy.
But more precisely? Chronic hyperglycemia is a major factor in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone imbalance. So, strength training can be very helpful in keeping these hormones more stable.
And when your hormones are balanced, you feel the difference. Energy levels are more stable, cravings are more manageable, and mood swings are less intense. Many women also notice better sleep, improved concentration, and a deeper sense of calm and relaxation.
Improves bone density and joint stability
When you strength train, you put healthy, controlled pressure on your bones. This signals your body to build and maintain strong bone density.
This matters as we age, especially during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen levels can drop. Low estrogen increases risk of osteoporosiswhich is why maintaining bone density NOW is so important for long-term health.
Strength training also strengthens the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support your joints. Frankly speaking, no one should have problems with knees, weak ankles or lower back pain before age 40 – and strength training helps protect against them.
Improves functional strength
Strength isn’t just for the gym, it applies to real life. Every day you lift, carry, push, pull, twist and balance, whether you realize it or not.
Think about carrying groceries, lugging suitcases, carrying children, moving furniture, or just getting through a long day without your body feeling destroyed. When you train to build strength, these everyday tasks seem easier and require much less effort.
Building muscle also helps your body move better. Strong muscles support your joints, keep everything aligned, and reduce the risk of stubborn pains and tightness that tend to creep in as you age.
And the bonus? Improved balance, better posture and greater confidence in the way you move: so you feel capable, stable and in control all day long.
Increases confidence and body composition (without “bulking”)
Strength training doesn’t make you look edgy and hyper-masculine. However, he do change your body composition.
As you build muscle and lose fat, your body looks firmer and more defined, not bigger. Muscle is more compact than fat, which is why many women look slimmer even if the scale doesn’t move much.
Beyond physical changes, lifting weights builds confidence. Feeling strong in your body manifests in your posture, your presence and the way you carry yourself.
How to Start Strength Training for Women
Don’t wonder where to start.
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This helped transform his body composition and change the way his body feels. She is stronger, more supported and more aligned. The Pvolve system develops strength that actually translates into real life. You’ll see definition, but you’ll also feel capable and stable.
Start with a simple, structured Obé Fitness plan.
One of the easiest ways to slow down your progress is to do random workouts with no real structure. A clear strength training program helps you stay consistent, balanced, and intentional with your time.
This is why Both works so well. Their guided strength training routines for women take the guesswork out of what to do and when to do it. This makes it much easier to build strength week after week, especially if you’re training at home or just starting out.
Here is how to create a workout routine with Obé Fitness.
Focus on good form before increasing the weight.
Before chasing heavier weights, it’s important to learn how to move properly. Proper form helps you activate the right muscles and protects your joints from unnecessary strain. And trust us, injuries don’t always appear immediately: prevention is better than cure.
Once your movement feels solid, adding weight becomes safer and much more effective. You’ll feel stronger and more confident with every lift.
We talk about it a lot more in our article with glute specialist, Sandy Brockman.
Train regularly 3-4 times a week.
You don’t have to live in a gym to see results. Strength training three to four times a week is enough to build muscle and feel noticeably stronger.
The key is consistency. Regular strength training sessions give your body time to adapt and improve without exhausting you.
Favor progressive overload rather than constant variety.
Progress happens when you gradually challenge your muscles. Progressive overload simply means increasing weight, repetitions or control over time.
Constantly changing workouts may seem fun, but sticking to the basic movements and improving them is what really builds strength.
Pair training with adequate protein, rest, and recovery.
Lifting weights destroys muscles and recovery rebuilds them. Without enough protein, sleep, and rest days, progress can quickly stall.
When you support your training with proper recovery, you’ll feel stronger, more energized, and overall better.
Need help with the nutrition part? Here is some tips on protein intake and lifting weights.
What are the best strength training exercises for women?
Lower body compound movements
Lower body compound movements work multiple muscle groups (quads, glutes, hamstrings and core) at the same time. Small, conscious movements lead to better coordination, stability and mobility – all of which are necessary in the gym. And in real life.
Start with these exercises:
Squats
Slots
Split squats
Glute-Focused Exercises
When we hear “glute-focused exercises,” most of us think of a sculpted, lifted butt. And, while that’s important, these exercises help so much more than that. You will achieve better posture, better pelvic stability and better overall movement efficiency.
Think: the mind-muscle connection makes all the difference here. Prioritize the exercises below with slow repetitions, intentional pauses, and proper alignment:
Hip Thrusts
Glute bridges
Abductions
Romanian Deadlifts
Unique RDLs
Want even more advice? Tune in to this episode of The Bossticks with Sandy Brockman.
Upper Body Strength Staples
Upper body strength (not upper body mass) is often overlooked, but this is a total game changer. These exercises target the back, shoulders, chest and arms, while Also improve posture and stability.
Exercises like the ones below not only reduce shoulder and neck tension, but they also help create a balanced, athletic physique:
Lines
Presses
Drop-down lists
Bicep curls
Push ups
Core Stabilization Movements
Core training isn’t about counting crunches, it’s about stability and control. These movements train the deep abdominal muscles and support the spine and pelvis. Not only you feel better, but you will also improve balance and overall coordination.
Do you want to get started? Add them to your daily routine:
Boards
Door
Dead bugs
Supermans
Kettlebell Swings
Functional strength exercises
Functional strength exercises bridge the gap between gym training and actual strength. You are essentially training your body to function as one holistic unit. This can improve coordination, balance and strength under load.
Start with…
Door
Progress
Basic rotational work
Wood chops
Sled pushes
Everyone should do strength training at the gym, especially women.
So maybe squat racks and dumbbells aren’t “workouts for boys” after all. Turns out it’s just strength training, and women have a place in it too.
And while you’re getting ready to get started, check out Lauryn’s favorite gym outfits of the moment here (use code SKINNY).
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Discover the latest news from Lauryn fitness essentials.
++ Learn why Lauryn loves doing Pilates twice a week.
START TRAINING:
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