The Day I Realised I Needed Strength Training as a Mum and Trainer
I’ve always loved strength training. Give me a barbell and some plates over a treadmill any day. Maybe that’s because of my asthma, long cardio sessions have never been my idea of fun. But lifting weights? That’s always felt empowering.
As a trainer, I’ve spent years helping other people build strength. From clients returning from injury to those in their 50s who want to feel fitter than ever heading into retirement, I’ve seen firsthand what resistance training can do. But somewhere along the way, I had a quiet realisation:
I wasn’t just training because I enjoyed it.
I needed it.
Turning 40 has a funny way of shining a spotlight on things. Little aches creep in. Joints grumble. Recovery takes longer. I used to joke with clients:
In your 20s, if you injure yourself, you’re fine in a couple of days.
In your 30s, it takes a few weeks.
In your 40s… things start aching that you didn’t even know could ache.
Suddenly it’s not just about aesthetics or hitting PBs. It’s about resilience. It’s about being able to carry the shopping without tweaking your back. Lifting awkward paddleboards onto the car. Getting down onto the floor and back up again without making “the noise.”
As a mum, that reality hits even harder. Life doesn’t slow down because your hamstrings are tight. Kids still need lifting. Days are still busy. Energy is still required.
Strength training stopped being optional.
It became my insurance policy for the future.
Research from organisations like the NHS consistently highlights the importance of muscle-strengthening activity as we age, not just for muscle mass, but for bone density, joint health, balance, and metabolic function. And as women, especially, we can’t ignore how important this becomes during perimenopause and beyond.
I don’t want to drift into my 50s feeling like I’m falling to pieces.
I want to feel capable.
Strong enough to travel. Strong enough to try new sports. Strong enough to keep up with whatever life throws at me.
For me, lifting weights is still fun, but it’s even better when it has purpose. Right now, that purpose is building strength for paddleboard season. As the weather warms up, I want solid shoulders, a strong core, and the confidence to balance and move well on the water. That goal makes my gym sessions feel exciting again.
Because strength training isn’t just about the gym.
It’s about what the gym allows you to do.
It’s about having the upper body strength to pull yourself up onto the board. The hip stability to stay upright. The endurance to enjoy the day rather than feel wrecked halfway through.
And here’s something I ask my clients, and now I’m asking you:
What kind of strength training do you enjoy?
Have you got a favourite place to train?
Is it a barbell in a busy gym? Dumbbells at home before the school run? Resistance bands in the garden? A quiet strength class where you can switch off for an hour?
Because enjoyment matters. Consistency matters even more.
If you’re in your 40s (or heading there), this is your nudge. Don’t wait until something hurts to take action. Build the muscle now. Strengthen the joints now. Future-proof yourself now.
Strength isn’t about ego.
It’s about independence.
And if I can help other women feel strong enough to paddleboard, travel, lift, play, and live fully into their 50s and beyond — then that’s exactly where I want to put my energy.
So tell me, what are you training for?
