How Strong is Strong Enough?

The awareness of the importance of lifting weights is higher than ever, but you see these people lifting hundreds of pounds on Instagram. Is that really what it takes to age well? 

NOPE.

I used to believe that getting stronger was always better. That was my ego talking. 

There is a ceiling on how strong you need to be if healthy function is your goal. 

Here’s how I think about it now... Your workouts need to be significantly heavier + harder than your day-to-day life.

• Want to carry arms full of groceries? You better be lifting more than 5-pound dumbbells.

• Have a grandchild to carry around? Lift more than they weigh, and do it well.

• Love traveling and need to get that bag in the overhead bin? You need to shoulder press 30–50# or so (between both arms).

• Have a lot of stairs to climb? Get good at step-ups on a box higher than a step.

• Vacation to Disney World coming up? Get your steps up in advance. 

If you’re missing this mark and sticking with the 10-pound dumbbells, your day-to-day life will put more strain on your body than necessary. Your risk for injury, pelvic floor or otherwise, will be higher… 

But you don’t need to deadlift your body weight (unless you want to).

Do you strength-train regularly? I’d love to hear why or why not!