Okay, so I’m not actually advocating that all girls need to “get over themselves” and run to their nearest gym and start lifting. However, I do want to explain that there are a few misconceptions that keep girls from the gym and by extension keep girls from lifting, and I have had enough.

First of all, by beginning your weight lifting journey, you will not automatically bulk up like a balloon in the Thanksgiving parade.

I always wonder why people worry about “bulking” as if it such a bad thing. If I could look like I could casually pick up a car with the same ease as picking up a plastic bag, I would not be the one someone should be making fun of.

Regardless, bulking is the result of a serious lifestyle change of a huge diet change and serious commitment to the gym life. Many bikini competitors do not actually “bulk” but essentially slim down to their most muscle-ist, and I’m always amazed at how these women and men have the ability, willpower and dedication to transform their bodies.

Many people wonder simply: how? How do I lift weights? When you first go to the gym, the large amount of mostly, I assume, foreign equipment can be daunting and a little frightening.

I personally had a wonderful friend to show me the ropes and explain proper gym etiquette to me. For example, don’t ask someone how many sets they have left or hover until they are done with their reps. This is annoying.

Seriously, if you are unsure of how to use a certain machine or how to develop a proper regimen to target all muscle groups, there are several useful introduction illustrations on the actual machines themselves that show how to use the machine and which muscle groups this particular machine is targeting. In addition, most gyms offer personal trainers that can tailor workouts specific to you and your weight lifting/weight loss goals.

As with most workouts, most people worry about finding the motivation to go. How can I make myself go, the initial time and all the times thereafter? How can I make sure my money and amazing, gorgeous workout outfits will not be wasted?

My best motivation is habit. Five days a week, at 10 pm, I will be found walking into the gym, towel and water in tow.

I cannot say, honestly, that every single time I am happy to be there when I arrive, but every time I leave, I am happy that I worked out.

The best way to develop a regimen is simply to go. You cannot start without starting! Find time that is best for your schedule during the week and continue at the same time. Personally, having a workout partner keeps me motivated to keep up this habit.

I have also heard of people keeping money incentives to keep up their gym habit, if they don’t go, they will lose the money they invested in this habit. Others use outside people to keep them accountable. If you tell others that you are going to the gym, but these people never see your gains or hear you comment about the gym again, you will surely feel the pressure on to actually go to the gym.

As someone who never lifted a single weight in high school, because my high school soccer coach was afraid we would “bulk up”, I am simply amazed at how much I have fallen in love with weight lifting.

I love the ease with which my body can move in my daily activities and how easily I can fit into all my clothes. I love the rush I get from adding more weight to my machines week after week. I love that my bum knee no longer is afraid of supporting weight on it. (I tore my ACL in high school.)

Find yourself and how strong your body can be at the gym, and I can assure you, you will not regret it.