I was recently asked about my training volume and how I had worked my way up to some sizable lifts over the years. The volume and the personal records do not lie, but this had apparently sparked some strange reactions with the person I was speaking with at the time.
“I get your a personal trainer and all, but why would you want to be THAT strong?”
I gave this person my two cents on the subject about how I am personally more confident, capable, etc etc as I go on through life. But. . .there actually are more reasons than just the emotional ones for being so strong. Today, I want to talk about the benefits of strength training for myself personally, and I’d like to hear from you all about why you want to be strong yourself.
So. . .here’s why I train heavy.
Strength means resilience. This goes along with the “being more capable” bit, but I wanted to elaborate on this issue of being resilient as a result from strength training. To do that, I am going to give you a real life and very scary, scenario based on a true story. 2 days before I was headed to Chicago to cheer on my coach for her Strong First Level II certification, I was faced with a very freaky incident that required a lot of strength in order to handle the situation at that particular moment. While driving through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel on the way back to my apartment from my studio, the power steering in my car failed at random. Driving at roughly 50 miles an hour and having your steering wheel lock up, unable to turn fluidly, causes a surge of adrenaline to course through your veins unlike anything I have ever experienced. I had roughly 1 minute to attempt to steer my car off to the exit for Regent Square after emerging from the tunnel and yes, traffic was fast paced and congested. Literally, bumper to bumper at high speeds. Had I NOT been as strong as I am now, I truly believe that I would not have been able to turn my car off the side of the road. Even with my strength, I can tell you it was not easy at all to turn my car safely to avoid a serious accident. Thank you God for my ridiculous biceps!
Case in point: when the random dangers of life surface without warning, the strong will be able to handle those situations and overcome those terrifying moments in triumph. We are strong. We are resilient!
Strength is a gift given to others. To date, most of the clientele at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh have been men. People of the male gender. Human beings with X and Y chromosomes. Legit dudes. I am not saying that to toot my own horn, but I am saying that to make a point. Most of these male folk that have come to see me have willingly sought out my services in order to learn how to become stronger and build up their muscle mass. On my last consultation, our newest member commented on how he had found me on youtube and was shocked by how strong I was as a female. “Imagine what would happen if us guys learned how to do that” he said, and I agree 100%. The fact that I am on a lifting level that most men are on now means I can help train people to gain similar strength feats, and well, when you’re training at such high volumes, it impresses a certain crowd so to speak. Now, that is NOT to say that there are absolutely no women at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh. Our female clients are now doing double kettlebell jerk complexes and, one particular female client had confessed that she readily practices her pistol squats during her lunch break at work.
Case in point: I have to be strong for all these boys down at the facility, but there is also the added bonus of empowering women to do incredibly strong things themselves. Strength is a gift you can give to others.
Strength exponentially increases the “body wow” factor. Train for strength, and you’re body will be bomb! Over the years, I have been able to keep my physique in top shape just by doing kettlebell complexes. Even more so, I am able to pack down some seriously sizable food portions without seeing much of a budge in body composition. If you eat smart and train hard, the body will naturally shift towards a healthy physique. Even with the occasional splurge of overeating, kettlebells and body weight circuits work almost like magic to keep you in tip top shape (though I am NOT condoning eating garbage. . .just saying 😉 ). If you’re sick and tired of killing yourself at a gym and just need some guidance with how to train for optimal health while looking your best, look no further than strength training through kettlebells and body weight work. Need help with the instruction? Come down and visit me at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh!
So, why do I want to be this strong? I think a better question is why would I NOT want to be this strong?
What do you love about strength training? Why do you love being strong? Send me some comment below folks! I would love to hear from you all!
That’s it for this weeks blog series! Be on the look out next week for upcoming promotions that will help you unleash your strength and forge an elite physique. Until next time. ..
Master your instincts!
