We at Industrial Strength foster a particular belief that has become part of who we are and is found in every fiber of our fabric. That belief is a physical one. Meaning that we strive to improve lives of every human that come through our doors with a healthy dose of physical culture. We’re not just working out and getting a sweat on, although that does happen from time to time. We try our best to instill principles of good movement, learning how your body works, employing those techniques in strength training and making people stronger day by day.
What happens when you own your movement and sharpen your skills is something pretty darn cool. This overwhelming wave of respect, confidence, strength, support, empathy, compassion and bonding occurs within yourself and with your fellow teammates.
This is the magic of physical culture at Industrial Strength.
Today to cap off International Women’s Day, I wanted to share a few nuggets from some pretty rad ladies who represent us and strong women everywhere.
It’s my pleasure to present Alena, Becca, Jessica, Joanne, Sara and Vickie who have all been training with us for some time now and to note are all over 43 years young and proud of it! Heck Ya!
Why do you strength train? Why is it important to you?
“To keep physically fit and mentally healthy and to stay out of a nursing home. Older people lose muscle mass rapidly. Lifting counteracts that in a way that no other exercise does.” – JoAnne
“I want to be able to do whatever physical challenges come up in daily life. Whether moving into a new apartment, helping a friend clear bags of concrete out her basement, or just carrying all the groceries. I also want to be able to be active without fear of injuries. And I want to be strong and mobile later in life. I also thrive in other parts of my life with the confidence that strength training gives me.” – Jessica
“Longevity, sustainability and ability to continue to exercise in the long term becomes more important with each year. I want to make sure that I work towards long, healthy and independent life. I feel now better then when I was 20! Also, I want to be a good role model for my 3 girls.” – Alena
How has strength training improved your life mentally and physically?
“I’ve been active most of my life but I never got really serious about my fitness until my late 30’s. It was at that point that I realized that I needed to do more as I headed into “mid-life”. So, I started strength training and it changed my life! I never felt better, stronger and more fit and it changed how I approached new adventures in life. Because I was ‘stronger’, I was able to be bolder…and so I decided to give jiu-jitsu a chance in my early 40’s. I had never done an martial art and I found the whole experience such a physical, mental and emotional journey but in such an unexpected and awesome way!” – Sara
“Strength training gives me an outlet for my everyday stresses. Strength training gave me a way to reconnect my body after a life threatening illness. It gives me a measurable way to regularly improve my health. ” -Vickie
“Strength work with a trainer twice a week (most weeks) has been my most consistent practice in an otherwise busy and often unpredictable life. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally grounding for me. I might make gradual strength improvements, but looking back over the last 2+ years, I don’t know how I would have managed every other challenge in my life without training at Industrial Strength.” – Jessica
What stereotypes or hurdles have you had to overcome and how did you do it?
“Before I started training, I had two major injuries and some other health problems resulting in five surgeries in less than two years. I developed anxiety about my health and my body, and I was scared to do anything where I could get hurt again. A physical therapist recommended I go to Industrial Strength because of their approach to teach correct form and technique. I always feel safe at there and I trust the trainers to focus on injury prevention. Trusting that I’m unlikely to get hurt allows me to push myself so I can work toward being fit, strong, and brave. ” – Jessica
“”Women who lift get bulky”. “You are too old to start”. “Older people should take it easy”. “You’ll hurt yourself”. “Lifting hurts your joints”. I overcame those by starting and seeing results, which motivated me to keep going. Strength leads to more strength. I wish I’d started sooner, but I’ve more than made up for lost time. You are never too old and it’s never too late. Don’t listen to people who tell you to “take it easy”.” – Joanne
“Age is really just number (young or old), so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! In my training, it translates to same thing. There will always be someone stronger, faster, younger than me so I just try and show up and be the best damn version of me that I can be on any given day. I try and remind myself to look for the wins no matter how small, to learn from the setbacks because that is how we improve and overcome, and to always find the joy in the journey no matter what!” – Sara
What is the one piece of advice you would give someone new to strength training?
“Take it one day at a time but most of all STICK WITH IT! You will have good days and you will have days where you feel that everything is harder, but each day you are improving and making progress! Results won’t be overnight but they can last a lifetime if you put in the work. Oh, and never ever, ever compare yourself to others. If/when I am feeling discouraged or have a setback, I just ask myself, am I better place than I was yesterday? That’s what counts!” -Sara
“Fortunately I started lifting at a time when it was becoming a lot more acceptable for women. However, I think there’s still a stereotype in our culture that there is something dangerous or socially inappropriate about a woman with big muscles. I think what bothers me more than stereotypes is the ever-changing in-fashion physique. Muscles are “cooler” now versus when I started lifting, but society’s focus is on how the muscles look, not how they function. I deal with these things by trying always to focus on function. If someone makes a comment about the way I look, I thank them and then turn the conversation to the BENEFITS I’m getting from exercise.” – Becca
“Believe in yourself. Find a good coach who will push you safely out of your comfort zone. Emphasize technique and quality.” -Joanne
And there you have it. 6 fine ladies and me who are all bad asses in their own way. They are moms, doctors, teachers, professionals, wives, friends and strong!
Thanks for the read.
–Coach Mira / Proud co-founder of Industrial Strength / Proud co-strong lady / Proud to be 49 next month.
#COMEFINDYOURSTRONG
