So let me just clarifty that it is the 21st century and some people still find women who lift weights to be unattractive and not lady-like. I am a woman who lifts weights everyday and I lift HEAVY. When I post videos of me lifting 235 pound plates on a barbell, I get mixed emotions for it because I am a girl. One thing that I hear the most from people is "You're not going to look sexy lifting those weights, just manly."
First of all, weightlifting is not just for men.
There are many women that I have seen and have looked up to that lift more weight than half of those men. I find it astounding that people are so focused on being gender stereotypical. It's time to get over it because no matter what we're lifting those dumbbells whether you find it acceptable or not!
The woman in the picture below is Kelsey Wells, who is a fitness trainer and she does lift weights daily.. And I want to share one of her posts that really inspired me because everything that she states in her caption I couldn't have said it better myself!
"Comments along the lines of "you're looking manly" or "careful you don't want to be bulky" or "weightlifting isn't feminine" never cease to amaze me. I choose not to respond to negativity, but I do have something to say about this and I want to say it loud and clear. NOT in response to those who have left negative messages and comments, but instead to ALL MY FELLOW WOMEN who have ever received a similar comment or been told they need to do/be something different to be beautiful or feminine. THE ONLY THING A WOMAN NEEDS TO DO TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND FEMININE IS TO BE HERSELF. We empower ourselves when we are living our truth and doing what we are PASSIONATE about with our WHOLE HEARTS. I was always a girly girl growing up and I love getting dressed up on occasion. What has surprised me though is finding I feel most beautiful when I'm gross and sweaty in the gym when I'm pushing myself in my training, and even more so as I'm wrestling on the floor with my son or any time I'm looking into that little face and teaching him about his world. .
There is 100% beauty and femininity in lifting weights. Just as there is in dancing. There is beauty in MOTHERHOOD. There is beauty in marriage. There is beauty in being a homemaker. There is beauty in being single. There is beauty in pursuing a career. There is beauty in education, in learning both inside and outside of school. There is beauty in public speaking. There is beauty in private, sincere conversation. There is beauty in writing and cooking and cleaning and singing and playing sports and playing instruments and anything and everything else you might enjoy, because simply there is SO MUCH BEAUTY in YOU, you just need to choose to see it. And it has nothing to do with what you look like. So free yourself of the opinions of others and the beauty standards of society. Pay attention to the moments in life you FEEL beautiful. What are you doing? DO MORE OF THAT." Kelsey Wells Instagram
When woman are lifting weights, I see them as being inspiring, confident, strong, healthy, and determined. I don't think of women who lift as manly or unfeminine. I honestly believe that gender stereotyping and downgrading women on their potential, especially from the influence of the media today is one of the many issues that has been existing for far too long.
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