Here’s my question of the day for you – do you lift weights on a regular basis? Are you consistently lifting weights that challenge you during your daily workout? If not, you should. Lifting weights is SO important, especially in the long run. If you’re a runner, that’s cool, but you gotta lift weights some days. If you’re a cyclist, that’s cool too, but adding weights to your routine will be even more beneficial. Weights not only build muscle, but they help you burn calories, protect your bones, prevent injury as you age, supports heart health, and about a million other things. Lifting weights is the tits.
And when I say ‘lifting weights’ I mean lifting more than 5lb weights. As females, many of us have been bombarded with images of small pink weights throughout our lives or told that we shouldn’t lift weights as women. But obviously times have changed and hopefully many of those thoughts have, as well. When I say lifting weights, I want you to get a barbell in your hands, I want you to front squat over 100lbs, I want you to hip thrust 200lbs, I want you to bicep curls 25lbs, I want you to CHALLENGE YOURSELF!! Those weights may already be a reality to you or they may sound absolutely insane, but no matter where you are in your fitness journey, lifting weights will challenge you and improve you body from the inside out.
I have been lifting weights for about 11 years now. Before that, I really only ran and performed bodyweight exercises. But once I began lifting on a regular basis, my whole life changed. I became more confident, my weight dramatically changed, I was able to lift and move things without needing someone else’s help, my mood swings began to disappear, and I experienced about a hundred other positive benefits from simply adding weights to my weekly routine. It was a lightbulb moment for me that I never let go of. And I highly recommend you do the same!!
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to lifting weights, I HIGHLY recommend my 3-month Power Program! It gives you 5 workout per week, both beginner and advanced options, and it really kicks off your lifting regimen is a simple, effective way. And all the workouts can be performed with minimal equipment from the comfort of your own home. And I also have my Power30 Program which gives you 30 workouts that can be performed in under 30 minutes. These workouts make you push the weight even more than the Power Program so you can mix-and-match workouts that fit your current fitness routine and needs. And coming next month (if all goes to plan), I’ll be launching my Power Sculpt Program! This will be a 6-MONTH strength program that will help you sculpt your muscles and see your hard work in action! If you’ve been looking to get stronger, looking for more muscular arms, trying to build stronger glutes, or hoping to see definition in your abs, this program is for you!! As we get closer to launch, I will fill you in with more details, but for now I need to start recording all the detailed video tutorials for you guys! I’m seriously SO EXCITED for this program and to see the results you experience from it!
Is there a way to preview the workouts? I don’t know if I’d be beginner or advanced but with no gym in the near future, I’d like to explore your options some more. Thanks
for the power sculpt program or a different program?
Yes! Completely agree. I am a plant-based endurance cyclist and last summer I was over-training and burnt out from cycling/running and not lifting at all (other than like, occasional body weight squats). Over the winter I really upped my lifting game (4-5x per week), and this spring I went into the cycling season stronger and leaner than ever! Right now I am lifting 4 mornings a week and cycling or running 4 times a week in the afternoon and I feel SO good.
what weights or equipment are needed for this program? i did your Power Program so i now have 10, 15 and 20 pound dumbbells and a 15 lb kettlebell, the bands and the bench. i am really interested in the strength program but not sure i can do it with my new, limited home gym equipment. totally willing to get some heavier dumbbells! thank you julie for your amazing work outs! <3
this program will use much heavier weights, more like what you would find in a gym. barbell, bumper plates (the heavier, the better since you’ll be able to increase throughout), dumbbells (heavier than what you have), and loop bands (long and normal short ones). the point of this program is to increase strength in order to sculpt the muscles so you’ll want to be able to increase the weight throughout!!
Hi Juli. I just bought the Power Body Program – beginning and advanced. I completed day 1 today and it was great! I am wondering if I should be incorporating some cardio in addition to the program? For cardio I usually play tennis, bike ride or walk. Thank you!
you don’t need to unless you want to! i don’t incorporate much cardio into my own workouts at this point and that’s when i’ve seen the best results. so it just depends on what you’re hoping to get out of the program!
I think you are right but I think many women fear “bulking up” when it comes to lifting heavier. Can you explain what it takes to ensure that doesn’t happen or how to avoid that-especially with different body types?
i can tell you from YEARS of experience and actually bulking up in the past, it takes A LOT of effort to get to a bulking stage. when i “bulked up” it was due to lifting 3x/day at an excessive number of reps, not having the best diet that worked for me, and putting myself into adrenal fatigue. if you are simply lifting once a day AND have an incredibly clean diet, you won’t need to worry about that. everyone’s bodies are different and put muscle on in different ways, but it takes A LOT of work to get to a bulking stage.