'The myth that women shouldn't lift heavy is only perpetuated by women who fear hard work and men who fear women.'
It's nearly been three years since I first started therapy, nearly one year since I first started training, but really only about 9 months since I 100% committed myself to recovery, to strength and to health. 9 months since I decided not to focus on the weight on the scales going down, but the weight on the bar going up. Sometimes, you need to remind yourself that a scale cannot measure character, talent, beauty, purpose, strength or love. Deadlifts are without a doubt my favourite lift and have completely transformed my body and increased my strength immensely...(constantly trying to hit that 87.5kg PB). Below, myself and Ant from ADM Fitness have collaborated shared some of the benefits of deadlifts for women: fighting the stigma of girls who lift.
When it comes to weight lifting, there is a far too common misconception amongst women that lifting weights will make them bulky. However, this is a myth with no grounding which both me and Ant would like
to dispel. It is not surprising that women shy away from heavy lifts like The Deadlift when the weights rooms in gyms are often full of groups of big 'beefed up' guys trying to lift
as much weight as possible and making noises only found in the Amazon Rain
Forest. But there is so much more to this exercise than trying to lift
as much weight from the floor as possible, and the benefits for women are just as great as for men.
1. The deadlift is a real
transferable life skill, anytime you need to pick something heavy off the
floor, you Deadlift.
2. The deadlift can help you improve your posture and can help correct anterior pelvic tilt. All
those years of nights out in high heels, and all those long days in work sat at a desk can lead to what
you call anterior pelvic tilt: when the front of the pelvis drops and
the back of the pelvis rises which increases the arch in your lower back, potentially leading to future lower back conditions.
3. The deadlift is a great exercise to increase your metabolism and incinerate fat as it uses so many
different muscles. It will tone your
hamstrings, thighs, glutes and back and strengthen your pelvic floor. (For
those of you who have children will realise the importance of a strong pelvic
floor).
4. IT WILL NOT MAKE YOU BULKY. Instead, it will allow you to realise how strong you can be.
5. The deadlift will
give you amazing abs and a strong core, it will transform your body and improve your confidence.
HOW TO DEADLIFT:
'With my clients, I have found that if we start with Romanian Deadlifts
with a light weight, the transition to other variations is much easier. Click here to see a video of Amy performing a 70kg Romanian Deadlift. A deadlift like this at nearly140% of your bodyweight takes time to work up to and
I recommend starting with a very light weight in order to develop perfect technique first
before progressing to heavier weight, eventually progressing to incorporate them into your workouts
once or twice a week.'
Below is a breakdown of how to perform the 'Romanian Deadlift' as shown in the video:
Below is a breakdown of how to perform the 'Romanian Deadlift' as shown in the video:
1. Step up to the bar with your feet shoulder width
apart, knees over toes, shoulders over knees and toes under the bar
2.
Grasp bar with an overhand grip
3.
Sit back with your arms straight and chest up
and shoulders pulled back and stand up (this is the deadlift)
4.
Once tall stand with softened knees and keeping
the shoulders pulled back so to maintain good posture in the back (don’t let
the back round) bend forward at the hips and lower the bar to just below the
knees and keep the bar as close to the body
5.
Using the glutes and hamstrings stand tall again
6.
Remember to maintain a good alignment in the
spine and keep the core strong throughout
7.
Perform 6 - 10 reps for 3 sets and only increase
the weight when your technique is sound and the reps are easy to perform and
remember: start light and work your way up.
'We aim for progress not perfection'
For more fitness tips, guides and nutrition plans register your interest now with Amy Elizabeth x ADM Fitness
'We aim for progress not perfection'
For more fitness tips, guides and nutrition plans register your interest now with Amy Elizabeth x ADM Fitness