02/26/2026
With tonight being the Women in Sports night for the Ottawa Senators, we figured there was no better time for us to talk about one of our favourite topics: the importance of exercise and strength training for women. Buckle up, this will be a long one!
Being in the gym every day, I hear a lot of different opinions and questions from women regarding strength training, and I’m here today to bust some of the most common concerns.
Let’s start with the facts. Strength training for women is non-negotiable as we age. During perimenopause and menopause estrogen levels drop sharply, which results in a decrease in bone density, and can lead to osteoporosis. Strength training not only strengthens your muscles, but also your bones.
At the same time, while your muscles are getting stronger, your day to day activities will get easier, your joints will be better supported, and your body and mind will feel better and stronger overall.
Now onto the myths. The biggest concern I hear from women is the fear of lifting weights “making them bulky”, and that they should only stick to light weights. I’m here to tell you that unless you are both training, eating, and recovering like a professional body builder, that isn’t going to happen. In fact, lifting (relatively) heavy weights as a woman is one of the best things you can do for your overall body composition and general fitness. As lean muscle mass increases, so does your metabolic rate, making you burn fat more efficiently both during and after your workout.
Exercise is for everyone. Here at Summers Physiotherapy, our primary concern is helping you to feel good in your body and in your ability to live your best life. If you’ve been exercising for years and you’re not sure how to progress your workouts, or you’ve never stepped foot in a gym in your life, we’re here to help! Come chat with our Registered Kinesiologist who can answer all of your exercise questions and concerns.
