Twenty burpees and not sweating yet?! I’m impressed. I want to do that!

A young woman at my local gym is squatting, jumping back into a plank and then jumping back up into a squat. One burpee. She repeats this 20 times without stopping. She is fit and strong. Very strong. Things have definitely changed since I began working out almost 50 years ago. Did I just say 50 years?

It seems like yesterday, I ventured into a small gym in Orlando, Florida, wearing my black Led Zeppelin muscle T shirt, tights and sneakers, with my hair pulled back in a ponytail, and tentatively picked up two ten pound weights to do bicep curls. I looked around. The gym was filled with sweaty, muscle bound guys grunting and lifting. No women in sight. Most women at the time, were doing Jazzercise and Jayne Fonda workouts in their cute leg warmers.

I worked out for many years. But in 2019, I lost whatever muscle I had when I was in the hospital for several months with fungal meningitis. As I recovered, the pandemic hit and my gym closed. Although I have a daily yoga practice, attend Pilates class a few times a week and get in my 10,000 steps, I wasn’t getting much stronger. In fact, a bone density test last year showed bone loss. I don’t plan to be a fragile old lady. So last year, at 70, I wandered back into the nearest gym.

Going to the gym used to be a social activity.  The ‘regulars’ showed up at the same time to talk and catch up. The work out was secondary. Not anymore. There is little to no talking as we move through our workouts, some people listen to music through their ear pods, in their own little worlds, taking care of business. Strength training is now a serious undertaking and women are stepping up.

I watch a young woman walloping a boxing bag and owning it like a champ. I am a bit envious, but definitely inspired. I learn something new from the young women at the gym each time I go.

Maybe I could try a dead lift that way.

If she can bench press 30 pounds, so can I.

Those side lunges look like fun. I’m going to try them.

I’ve seen a big difference in my strength and tone. I wasn’t sure at my age if I could recover all the muscle I lost, but I have. The evidence is in. Strength training makes you healthy. It improves fat-burning, builds bones, maintains your brain and cardiovascular health and increases your lifespan. Having strong muscles is the new cool.

So, toss out those silly pink two pound weights. And don’t forget the protein. One gram per pound of ideal body weight and you’ll be set.