I’m actually embarrassed to tell you why I started strength training… but I’m going to anyway…
I was 17 years old and I had finished high school. All of a sudden my regular exercise in the form of organised sport stopped. And I realised pretty quickly (5kg+ later) that I needed to take action.
Because at 17 I cared way more about how I looked than much else (and than I care to admit.)
So I got myself a gym membership and for the first time ever, I started going to the gym. I ran on the treadmill, did the elliptical machine, you know how it goes.
And then I read an article (probably in Girlfriend magazine) that said resitance training burns fat for longer than cardio.
So I thought I’d give the weights room a go.
And the rest is history.
Do I consider myself a strength training expert? No
Have I been perfectly consistent (over 24 years, multiple house moves, having 3 babies etc)? Also no.
But strength training has always been there for me, in some capacity.
Of course, the reasons I choose to continue doing it have changed significantly.
Now I choose strength training because it’s good for my muscles, bones, glucose control, stress, sleep, balance, mobility & function. I also choose it because I LOVE feeling strong in my body, capable doing things and because I want to age confidently.
The reason I started strength training doesn’t matter now.
What matters is that I did. Because 24 years later, I’m so glad I started.