While I was lifting at Gold's Gym last Saturday, a Pantene shampoo commercial interrupts the music with the slogan "Strong is Beautiful." Even though it was referring to hair, it can also be a reference to our bodies.
Some ladies are afraid to have muscles. Maybe it's because we live in a world where our bodies are constantly being judged at every moment. Maybe it's because muscles seem to be only reserved for the men, dating back to evolutionary times when men did all the labor. Or maybe it's because being jacked makes women less "girly."
In our current world, the coveted body type for a girl is skinny. If you aren't skinny, you aren't pretty. People are judged based on their jean size. Every like on that bikini pic on Instagram is a like for your body. More like should equal more confidence. Lifting will not make you skinnier, but it can help you drop pounds while gaining confidence and a hot bod.
Some ladies are afraid to lift because guys say they don't like muscular girls. It is because they are intimidated by us. But ripped girls are the best girls. Get you a girl that can do both. And the gym is actually a great way to meet people! You can subtly flirt and check out the opposite sex in the mirror without getting caught. And couples that lift together tend to stay together.
Girls are typically supposed to be "soft," pretty and proper like the princess they are. They should leave being strong, lean and cut to the men. But like Pantene said it best, "Strong is Beautiful!" Muscles are not "soft," fat is soft and who wants that?
Because I lift, I guess that does not make me a "proper" lady. My hands are not soft, they are bruised and callused from the hours I spend in the gym. I hydrate with protein shakes. I am constantly covered with a layer of sweat from multiple workouts a day. I live in running shorts and get hyped up from late night pump sessions. I get stares when I walk into the free weights section. I get sideways glances by others to check if I am still doing pull-ups. Sometimes mouths will drop when I load up the bar with my weights. Sometimes I feel more like a guy, even when I am the only girl at the gym. But I have gained respect from my gym bros and they now see me as an equal.
I guess I don't conform to society's standards. For me, muscles are trophies, something to show off for all the hard work and time put into them. They are a sign of power and they show the world that I am tough. Why should I have to choose between being a bada$$ weightlifter and a princess when I can be both? (insert tiara emoji). If you lift, there is much more to gain than just muscle mass.
