Since being part of Team elitefts I have been in a position of reaching out and paying more attention to females in strength. Not as competitors but at lifters.
Every now and then some of the FB posts, memes and trendy groups light a fire under my hind end. I use my presence as a team member to speak up and shed a different perspective or thought into these trends generally in my log or in articles. My hope is always to make people move past stereotypes and the "typical" expectations men and women alike have towards females training and getting strong.
I got in touch with Dave with some general questions regarding a potential project I've had in my mind for a very long time. All of the trends, faces, whatever always focus on appearance, weight, becoming a real woman by lifting. Whatever it is. You get the idea, I know you've seen it all too, the good and the bad.
Although I have never directly shared my thoughts with you all, deep down in my heart I knew why I was afraid to lift. I know the conversations I've had with many, many female lifters through the years. NONE of those conversations and thoughts have EVER come close to what people are trying to sell women on why they should or are afraid to train and get strong.
My impression has ALWAYS been and will continue to be that the information on the "why" women don't lift is missing the mark. BADLY. This is a very complex issue.
After I got in touch with Dave, I started reviewing my mental list of why initially I was afraid to lift and how those thoughts related to my project. It occurred to me that maybe the things I came up with were just MY thoughts.
In an effort to bring some validity to my own thoughts and help write an article or ten, I reached out to many female strength athletes whom I highly respect and trust. I chose lifters of different ages, abilities in lifting and varied competition backgrounds or none at all.
The questions were pretty simple, "What were three fears you initially had about lifting?" and "What are three truths you have learned from lifting?"
Originally my plan was to compile the information into one article. The things I read were powerful. They were also things I could completely relate to.
The answers I received were so eloquently worded and they were REAL. Over the next week or so I am going to share some of the answers I received. I don't want to change these women's words and have them lost in a single article. I want these ladies thoughts to speak for themselves without my edits.
I'm here to tell you that the reasons women don't lift go far, far beyond any body weight issues, fears of being "bulky" or whatever the trend of the week is.
Some of the female responses I got were focused, solid, nothing was intimidating about lifting, they made a decision and got out there and did what they set their mind to. Other females shared internal dialogue and fears they wrestled with prior to and while beginning to lift.
Every female I spoke to also shared great pride and a sense of accomplishment for moving forward to lift. The reality is anyone who trains for longer duration's CHANGES. The are never the same people, and a new person begins to emerge.
While individuals might like those changes, their loves ones don't always react positively. The status quo is questioned and the entire dynamics of safe and comfortable relationships begin to change. For some it is easier to NOT lift and potentially challenge the unwritten rules in their lives, relationships, gender roles, etc.
Lisa Howard trains out of American Iron in Reno. I will let her own words speak for her. It's pretty powerful and similar in many ways to other perspectives some ladies shared with me and my own as well. Lisa has trained with Chad Aichs so being willing and able to accept and apply Chad's critiques and corrections, in my opinion speak volumes about Lisa's internal strength and determination.
What were three fears you initially had about lifting?
1. I am too old to build strength and make significant gains. I turn 47 this week.
I found an old school power gym after age 40, and started learning basic strength and power moves, e.g. power cleans, stones, squat, bench, deadlift, etc. I started with strongman comps at the gym and then expanded a bit to see what I could do. I’ve amazed myself with my gains the last three years in particular, and now focus on powerlifting.
I will do my first sanctioned meet in a couple of months, and will very likely be in the top 5 in the USA if I perform like I do in the gym. BY the end of year or next year I will be in the top 2 in my age/weight class.
2. I won’t be taken seriously.
I have found that putting in the work and making gains has made me one of the crew in the gym. I’ve trained with three male trainers, all of whom have taken me very seriously and spent their time and energy to build me. My current trainer, Dustin Speed, and my training partners, most of whom are men, expect me to perform. I train everything the boys do, lifting more than some of them in multiple lifts. When I’m not there, they send me messages of harassment (love). There is nothing that replaces great training partners who demand my performance.
3. I would never have a partner who understood why I am addicted to strength and power sports.
Most people don’t understand these sports, and men often are intrigued but a bit overwhelmed by a woman who does the things I do, particularly at this age. I met a wonderful man two years ago, Godfrey Perreira, who just understood from the start. He comes from a background in sports, so perhaps that is why. He’s never once asked me, “why do you do this.”
He simply supports me in training, sometimes joining a workout, and always inquires how my sessions went. He’s my biggest fan preparing me when I compete by chalking me, taping me, cleaning off the tacky, etc. I mean really, how many men understand a 40-something year old woman lifting an atlas stone. I can hardly put it in words myself.
What are three truths you have learned from lifting?
1. It simply feels good to be strong and physically powerful.
Perhaps it is one of the most natural forms of confidence. Who knows. But I know nothing replaces having physical strength, which has also significantly enhances my mental strength. I feel powerful. You only know that feeling from physical prowess.
2. Power and strength sports ARE for women.
If only young women knew the thrill that comes with doing something you NEVER thought you could do. And you do it, and then the next week you do more. Priceless.
3. Men and women in these sports are generally the kindest, most gentle and supportive people you’d ever want to meet.
They are not meatheads who just want to show off. There is no money in these sports. There is no fame. It is just you against you, pushing your physical and mental self to places you never thought you could. And along the journey, everyone helps everyone else mentally and physically.
One time I remember having a very difficult couple of months. Couple of injuries, questioning whether I should just give it up, just not feeling the verve I always had. I got frustrated and, yes, I cried in the gym (gasp). My big strong muscled trainer came over and hugged me. Quieted me down and then proceeded to kick my ass and push me. And I am now stronger than ever, and I will be even stronger next month, and the next month…