If Your Mom Isn’t Lifting Weights, She Should Be

Pat Anderson
Jul 15
2 min read

Updated: Sep 20

If Your Mom Isn’t Lifting Weights, She Should Be

People often ask me,

Without a doubt, the most dramatic shift has been

who is working out—especially who is lifting weights

. Back in the late ’80s when I first started training, the weight room was almost exclusively the domain of young men, ages 20 to 40. Few women dared venture near the bench press or power racks, where squats and deadlifts ruled. Most women stayed in the cardio area or joined aerobics classes, aiming to burn calories. If they did come into the weight room, it was often for core work or machines like the hip abductor/adductor—targeting the inner and outer thighs.

But times have changed.

Today, I often see

more women than men

in the powerlifting section—especially training

power based, lower-body movements

. Even more inspiring, I see

older adult women pumping iron

and looking confident the weight room. This transformation is largely driven by

education

and the

debunking of outdated myths

Why This Matters—Especially for Women Over 30

Scientific research continues to confirm that

strength training is essential for longevity, disease prevention, mobility, and overall quality of life

. The group that benefits most?

Women over 30

. As women age, they’re more susceptible to conditions related to

frailty

, including loss of bone density and muscle mass. You’ve probably heard of

osteoporosis

osteopenia

—but have you heard of

sarcopenia

Sarcopenia

is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function.

The best treatment?

Resistance training.

Lifting weights doesn't just build strength—it literally tells your body to stay young. These exercises stimulate bones to stay strong and, remarkably, have been shown to be

more effective for heart disease prevention than cardiovascular exercise

alone.

Breaking the “Bulky” Myth

The younger generation of women is proudly embracing strength. They’re more body-positive and understand that lifting weights helps them achieve the shape and health they desire. But there’s still a large group—often from older generations—who believe that

thin means healthy

. Many of them fear that lifting weights will make them look “bulky.”

Let me be clear:

This false belief is costing them valuable time, while their bones and muscles quietly deteriorate. Even if they're not overweight, they're not protected from

age-related decline

in strength, balance, and resilience.