"Muscle is worth its weight in gold:" Life Time Experts Share Their Top Strength Training Tips for Women

Interest in strength training continues to surge as people of all ages seek ways to improve their healthspan, not just their lifespan. Women in particular are embracing strength training in large numbers. According to Life Time (NYSE: LTH ) experts and results from the Company's annual survey, it's the top exercise women want to add to their routine in 2026, and Lincoln International's 2025 Fitness Market Update finds that women are participating in weightlifting and strength-based classes at record rates. The benefits are many: balanced hormones, improved bone and muscle mass, and more. Whether women are looking for expertise to help build a workout routine or find and maintain the motivation to keep going, five female Life Time experts offer their top tips: Building strength is a platform for life: "If there's one shift I wish more women would make, it's this: stop chasing 'small' and start chasing strong," said Hayley Akradi , Certified Personal Trainer, Brand Lead for UltraFit and Creator of the Body Blueprint program . "When you focus on getting stronger: lifting with intention, progressively adding weight, and fueling your body, everything else starts to take care of itself. Your body changes, your metabolism works for you, and you build a confidence that cardio alone just doesn't give you. As a mom, this has been everything for me. It's also one of the biggest things I lean on as I think about aging well and staying capable long-term." Don't be afraid: "One piece of advice I always share with women is don't be afraid to strength train," shares Lillian Davis , Studio Lead and Dynamic Personal Trainer at Life Time Deerfield Township in Mason, Ohio . "Building muscle won't make you bulky and a lot of the time the desired body women want is made by strength training! I encourage women to focus less on perfection and more on consistency. Getting in a workout doesn't need to consume your whole day, showing up a few times a week can make a huge impact on both your physical and mental health over time!" Stay consistent: "Women need to strength train at least three times per week practicing progressive overload," said Nellie Barnett , Dynamic Personal Trainer at Life Time Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. . "It's very easy to get caught up in the same routine using the same weights but by challenging yourself and embracing the moments of discomfort you'll see substantial progress in how you look and feel. With consistency, strength training is the ultimate life hack shaping how you move and your resilience by combating the decline in muscle mass that happens with age, improving bone density and creating a deeper sense of connection to your body." Lift heavy: "Strength training is one of the most powerful tools women can incorporate into their routine, especially as we age," said Paula Londono , Dynamic Personal Trainer at Life Time Dumbo in Brooklyn . "Focus on lifting heavy, at an effort level of eight or nine on a scale of one to ten. Also, focus on proper form, gradually increase resistance, and view strength training as a main component in your health." Focus on the lifelong benefits: "Muscle is worth its weight in gold. You can't buy it, you have to work for it, and if you're not actively building a...