Alice Vol. 4 No. 2

WOMEN WHO
PUMP IRON:
THE EMPOWERING
MINORITY
By Maleah Watt
The first time I entered a weight room, it was
uncomfortable. Foreign. I felt like I shouldn’t
have been there. I attempted to lift a 15 lb
dumbbell around men lifting triple the weight.
My confidence was low, and I was petite. I looked
weak, and I felt weak too.
But the main reason why I was uncomfortable
in a weight room was because I am a woman.
Despite my uneasiness, I kept returning to the
gym to lift weights week after week. Over time,
I began to realize I was not lifting for others to
see, but I was lifting so that I could feel sexy and
secure in my own body. When I became stronger,
I became empowered.
Weightlifting has numerous benefits for a
woman’s physical and mental health. And yet,
only about 17.5 percent of American women meet
aerobic and strength training recommendations,
according to Center of Disease Control and
Prevention.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I workout plenty. I
run on the treadmill and I do tons of cardio.” And
that is a very good thing. However, it is not the
only type of training you should do for your body.
Building muscle is crucial for health in both
women and men to protect and support bones.
Cardio is a go-to for losing weight, but did you
know weight lifting actually may do a better job?
Cardio will help you lose weight while you do it,
but when you weight-lift, you continue burning
calories up to 24 hours post-workout. The two
go hand in hand in an ideal fitness routine.
You should protect your bones and muscles by
strengthening them with weights, and use cardio
to tone and condition your body.
Some women have a fear of looking “too
bulky” if they lift weights. Getting stronger does
not make you look bulky. It makes you look toned
and empowered. Letting others tell you different
only gives them power over something they
shouldn’t.
Weightlifting is up to your discretion. Any
amount of weight, exercise and rep amount will
leave you stronger than you were yesterday.
There is freedom in this form of exercise that lets
you get creative with your gym time.
Alice Spring 2019 105