I totally understand that sometimes lifting weights can get boring and feels too samey, but read on for why it’s worth it…
I’ll be the first to say it, that yes, sometimes strength training can feel boring and repetitive. Week after week, month after month and year after year. Squats, planks, rows and lunges on repeat!
People sometimes say to me, “I just find it boring and samey.”
And I totally get it, it isn’t always exciting. It doesn’t have the novelty of trying a new class every week, and it certainly doesn’t give you instant results after one session.
But what’s the alternative?
The alternative could mean weaker muscles, reduced bone density, a higher risk of osteoporosis, more falls, aching joints, less mobility, insulin resistance, needing help to lift your suitcase, struggling to get up from the floor, relying on walking aids, and losing the independence you’ve always taken for granted.
I’m not saying strength training guarantees you’ll avoid all of those things. None of us gets that guarantee. But we know, thanks to decades of research that maintaining muscle is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long term health. Strength training helps protect your bones, supports your joints, improves balance, helps regulate blood sugar, and makes everyday life easier as you get older.
That’s a pretty impressive return for just a few sessions each week.
You don’t have to love every squat and you don’t have to get excited about every chest press, and you def don’t need to train like a bodybuilder.
You simply have to decide which version of your future you’re investing in.
For many people, exercise starts because they want to lose weight, tone up or look better in their clothes. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But somewhere along the way, (I would say after the age of 45), the reason for lifting weights changes.
It becomes a bit less about how your body looks and more about what your body will still be able to do in twenty or thirty years’ time.
Being able to carry your shopping without thinking about it, walking upstairs without your knees protesting, getting down on the floor to play with grandchildren and standing back up again with ease, lifting heavy suitcases, gardening all afternoon, travelling wherever you want, living independently and confidently for as long as possible.
If you’re in your 30’s you’re 100% not even thinking about this yet – I didn’t! But I do admit as I’ve gotten older, seeing my parents and family members age, it’s really made me grateful that I’ve exercised and done strength training all my life. And by the way, it’s never too late to start if you’ve never picked up a weight in your life, please don’t think there’s no point starting now, you absolutely can and still make a huge difference.
So, next time you catch yourself saying, “ugh, I can’t be bothered to do my weights session today”.. try and be positive and remember… The choice isn’t between doing strength training or doing something more exciting or even nothing. The choice is more between strength training or not living your best life actively and independently as you get older.
When you look at it like that, a few sets of squats don’t seem quite so repetitive after all!
If you’ve been meaning to start but don’t know where to begin, my Lift Lean online membership is designed especially for busy women over 40. The sessions are just 15 minutes, three times a week, so they’re easy to fit around work, family and life. You don’t need to spend hours in the gym and all you need is a small space and a set of dumbbells.