can women lift heavy?

Want to change your body? Try lifting weights.

Some gyms think women can't or shouldn't lift heavier than 5 pound weights. That's what my instructor was told when she subbed at another gym. However, she regularly lifts much heavier than 5 pounds. If you want to dramatically change your body, you are going to have to lift heavier.

The fitness instructor at the rec center I frequent said she is an avid runner; however, the exercise that has changed her body is not the running, but -- you guessed it -- weight lifting! She says you won't get big, but you will get sculpted.

When I first joined a gym years ago, we would pick up weights after the aerobic portion of the class, but never more than 5 or 8 pounds. Then we'd do a few biceps and shoulder exercises. A few years later we moved and I began attending a Muscle Up class at the nearby rec center. These instructors were lifting and pressing 35 and 40 pound free weights and they looked great.

So a little at a time I began lifting heavier until I was using 20 and 25 pound weights for presses and squats. Yes, I got sore, but I also got stronger!

Last summer I think I surprised a Home Depot employee when I threw four bags of top soil into the back of my car. He commented, "You're really strong!" which I took as a compliment. Thank you.

We're all in the battle against osteopenia (which I have) and osteoperosis. Both men and women can get the disease. Strength training can increase bone density and combat these diseases. You can hire a personal trainer or take a class to learn the correct ways to lift.

Just get started!