Why Everyday Strength Matters More Than You Think
The real value of strength training is what it allows you to do outside the gym
When we talk about strength training, it’s easy to think about weights, repetitions and how much you can lift.
But strength has a much bigger role to play in everyday life.
Think about carrying shopping, lifting a suitcase, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair or picking something up from the floor.
None of these activities look like a traditional gym exercise, but they all require strength.
And as we get older, maintaining that strength becomes increasingly important.
Strength is about being capable
One of the things I like most about strength training is that its benefits extend well beyond the gym.
You don’t necessarily notice that you’re getting stronger when you’re lifting weights.
You notice it when something that used to feel difficult becomes easier.
Perhaps you can carry your shopping without having to make two trips.
Maybe you can climb a flight of stairs without stopping.
Or you find that getting up from a low chair or from the floor is no longer something you have to think about.
These might seem like small things.
They’re not.
They’re signs that your body is capable of more.
Strength supports independence
Maintaining physical independence is something that becomes increasingly important as we get older.
Being able to move around confidently, carry things, get up and down and deal with the physical demands of everyday life gives us freedom.
Strength training is one of the ways we can help maintain that capability.
It doesn’t mean lifting the heaviest weights possible.
The right level of resistance depends on the individual, their experience, their goals and their physical condition.
The important thing is to challenge the body appropriately and consistently.
You don’t have to be a gym enthusiast
Another misconception is that you need to spend hours in the gym to become stronger.
You don’t.
A well-designed programme can be relatively simple.
Exercises such as squats, rows, presses, deadlift variations and carries can train many of the movements we use in everyday life.
The key is doing them with good technique and gradually progressing as your strength improves.
Strength and longevity
For me, strength training is ultimately about preparing for the future.
I don’t train clients simply so they can lift more weight.
I want them to have the physical capability to continue doing the things they enjoy.
That could mean travelling, walking, playing sport, gardening, spending time with family or simply remaining independent.
The goal is not to become the strongest person in the room.
It’s to remain strong enough to live the life you want.
Train for your life
That’s a big part of the thinking behind Stronger for Life.
The training we do today should have a purpose beyond today’s workout.
We are building strength that we can use tomorrow, next year and hopefully for many years to come.
So the next time you finish a strength session, don’t just think about the weight you lifted.
Think about what that strength might allow you to do outside the gym.
Because ultimately, strength is valuable because of what it gives you the freedom to do.
Julien
Julien Bertherat is a London-based personal trainer working with private clients of all ages and fitness levels.
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