Trending Now - Experts Advocate for Women's Strength Training in Gyms

WHO:

Elisabeth Bradley, a college student at San Diego State University

Michelle Segar, a behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan

Brad Schoenfeld, professor of exercise science at Lehman College in New York City

Daisy Arauza, a 30-year-old mother of two in Menifee, California

Charlie Sturgeon, a member of the women-only Goddess Gym in Peterborough, England

Michelle Kozak, a mother from Phoenix

Beth Skwarecki, Senior Health Editor at Lifehacker

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

WHAT:

Experts advocate for more women to engage in strength training.

The National Institutes of Health recommends resistance training at least twice a week for everyone.

Resistance training helps prevent heart disease, improves long-term mobility, and lowers blood pressure.

The ACSM guidelines suggest that strength training should be done at least twice per week, per muscle group.

Only about 30% of people do any strength training twice a week, with the number possibly as low as 10% for older individuals.

Resistance training can improve health outcomes related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, and sleep quality.

WHERE:

San Diego State University, California

Menifee, California

Peterborough, England

Phoenix, Arizona

WHEN:

March 21st, 2026 (current date)

Research indicates women may benefit more from weight training due to susceptibility to osteoporosis and age-related muscle loss.

WHY:

Women often avoid weightlifting due to intimidation and self-consciousness about their body image.

There is a stigma that strength training will make women look bulky, which discourages participation.

HOW:

Experts suggest creating a welcoming gym environment and providing education to encourage women to lift weights.

The ACSM guidelines emphasize that doing something is better than nothing and that finding a sustainable routine is more important than optimizing details.

Women-only gyms, like Goddess Gym, provide a sense of community and comfort for female exercisers.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 07:12 UTC)

Today, experts are urging more women to engage in strength training, highlighting its numerous health benefits, including preventing heart disease and improving long-term mobility. Despite the American College of Sports Medicine recommending resistance training at least twice a week, only about 30% of people currently meet this guideline, with participation even lower among older individuals. To combat the intimidation many women feel about weightlifting, experts suggest creating welcoming gym environments and promoting women-only spaces, like Goddess Gym in England, to foster a supportive community.