Workout Wednesday - The Deadlift

Want to feel badass and strong? Then try a deadlift.
I have mastered the art of squating and working comfortably at 120kg, so naturally I needed a new challenge.

Boyfriend suggested I join him on deadlifting, at first I was like yea ok why not, I don't consider myself strong so I was prepared to just lift the bar and be done.
But once I started I felt that competitive drive in me and I wanted to lift heavier!
I progressed from 20kg to 60kg each with strong reps and I left the gym feeling strong and badass!

Deadlifting works muscles from the chest right down to your calves so if you want to target a lot of muscles in one go then this is the left to go for.

If you haven't done it before, I would recommend having a trainer talk you through the movement to ensure that you are doing it properly and do not get injured.

You can also try straight legged deadlifts with dumbells, I do this exercise on leg day to target my hamstrings and really make them work!

Lift like a girl

I don't know why but I have become more and more sensitive to the phrase "like a girl" recently, it might because the blogs, women I follow on Instagram etc are highlighting being a strong, independent woman that I have taken on their mindset, the face I am comfortable in my own skin and also probably that I am training with boys and its all I hear!

The other day I over heard some guys talking in the gym and he said "come on, do it properly, your doing it like a girl" and then this morning a guy couldn't lift heavy and he said to his friend "eugh I feel so girly".

It frustrates me because well I could easily turn around to these guys and correct them as I can squat heavier than one and lift heavier than the other - I know this for a fact as I have seen them train!

But I don't obviously because are they going to care/listen - no of course not because they are already set in comparing weak performances to being "like a girl".

I feel that men like this fear strong women, I am lucky that my boyfriend was raised by a strong woman so he encourages me to be stronger and fearless - sometimes he does use the phrase like a girl and he gets a look ;) but he would never put me down because I was a girl, if I can't do something it is not determined by my gender it is determined by my own strength.

I posted this on Instagram for International Womens Day and also because it is my favourite image to show that doing things like a girl is NEVER a bad thing unless you make it a negative!

Working in male dominant industry (marine industry) and training with men 7 days a week really makes me want to stand up for women and represent us as the strong, independant women we all are!

If the men in your life can't encourage you to be this, ignore it and do it anyway - they will either accept the change or you know you are better off without them - I have known so many men who think strong women are out of control, or women who believe in womens rights are "lesbians" I don't have time for people like that when I want to build a brand that empowers women and encourages them to shine!

So friendly reminder on this Monday - lift like a girl, run like a girl, think like a girl and act like a girl, because you are awesome!