And Why It Matters More Than You Think
The word “Strength” is thrown around a lot in fitness — but what does true strength training really mean?
It’s more than just picking up weights.
It’s about progressive overload.
It’s about pushing boundaries.
And discovering just how strong you really are!
So What Is True Strength Training?
True strength training means training your muscles in a way that builds maximum force output — not just endurance or general conditioning. This usually means:
- Working in the 5–8 rep range or less
- Occasionally training for low-rep, high-load sets (like your 1-rep max, when appropriate)
- Prioritizing form, rest, and intensity over speed or variety
The goal isn’t to leave the gym drenched in sweat or gasping for air.
The goal is to build real strength — the kind that improves your posture, supports your joints, and helps you feel more powerful in every area of your life.
Circuit Training ≠ Strength Training
We see it all the time — workouts marketed as “strength” that are really just fast-paced circuits.
In circuit training, you’re moving from one exercise to the next with minimal rest, usually using lighter weights and higher reps. While it’s a great option for cardio and general fitness, it doesn’t give your body the time or load it needs to truly build strength.
Strength training, on the other hand, focuses on:
- Fewer, more intentional reps
- Progressive loading
- Strategic rest periods to allow your nervous system to recover between sets
The difference? With strength training, your body adapts by getting stronger — not just tired.
Why Strength Training Is Especially Important for Women
From your 20s to your 60s and beyond, strength training is one of the best things you can do for your body.
Here’s why:
- Muscle mass naturally declines with age, especially after 30. Strength training helps preserve and even build lean muscle.
- It boosts bone density — a critical factor in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, especially for postmenopausal women.
- It supports metabolic health, improves insulin sensitivity, and helps regulate hormones.
- It builds confidence, resilience, and the ability to do the things you love — whether that’s picking up your toddler, hiking on the weekends, or just feeling at home in your body.
And perhaps most importantly — it redefines what “strong” means at every stage of life.
Working With a Personal Trainer Who Gets Strength Training
True strength training can feel intimidating — especially if you’re not sure where to start. That’s where working with a qualified personal trainer can make all the difference.
At Love Your Body Fitness, our personal trainers go beyond standard certifications. They’re highly educated, experienced, and obsessed with helping you push the boundaries of what you believe you can do.
They’ll:
- Teach you how to lift with proper form
- Help you find the right weights to challenge your limits
- Guide you to that elusive “muscular failure” line — safely
- Program progressive strength sessions that evolve with you
Strength Is for Life — Not Just for PRs
True strength training isn’t just for athletes or people who want to deadlift double their bodyweight (although that’s pretty cool too). It’s for anyone who wants to feel strong, capable, and energized in their body — for life.
Discover how strong you really are!
About the author
Kate Laird is the owner of Love Your Body Fitness in Westboro, Ottawa — and she knows firsthand what it means to be busy. As a re-partnered single mom and business owner, she juggles parenting, entrepreneurship, and her own fitness journey. Kate built LYB to support people just like her: busy parents, professionals, and seniors who want to feel confident, strong, and energized. Through inclusive group fitness classes and expert personal training, she’s created a community that helps people show up for themselves — even on the busiest days.
