I just got back from a 10-day vacation in Florida, where I managed to train six times—twice at a gym, twice in our condo (check out the photo of me doing “piggyback” split squats with my son on Twitter), and twice at a beach workout area in Fort Lauderdale. But the most memorable training session happened at a health club with a surprising policy.
A Gym with a Double Standard
One morning, my wife and I decided to train at a condominium health club. To our surprise, there were separate gyms for men and women—so we couldn’t work out together. But the real shock came when we saw the difference between them.
Here’s what the women’s health club looked like:
And here’s the men’s health club:
Did you spot the difference?
Women were only provided cardio machines and light resistance equipment—no barbells, no dumbbells, no real strength training tools. Meanwhile, men had everything they needed to build muscle: barbells, dumbbells, cables, machines, Olympic plates, and adjustable benches.
I had a great workout. My wife did not!
The Outdated Fear of Women Lifting Weights
The mentality behind this gym setup is clear: women are not supposed to lift weights. Instead, they’re expected to stick to cardio and light resistance. But that outdated belief couldn’t be further from the truth. Many women still fear that weight training will make them “muscle-bound” (it won’t—here’s why).
Why Weight Training Is More Important for Women
- Muscle = Strength & Independence – Stronger women are more functional, resilient, and injury-resistant.
- Boosts Metabolism & Fat Loss – Muscle burns more calories, helping with weight management.
- Prevents Osteoporosis – Strength training improves bone density, reducing fracture risk.
- Enhances Confidence & Mental Health – Strength training is empowering, increasing self-esteem.
Men & Women Should Train Together
Not only should women lift weights, but they also make excellent training partners for men. In fact, a female training partner may actually be better than a male one! I’ll explain why tomorrow—stay tuned.
