This piece is written by Sherein Abdelhady, Certified Personal Trainer and Doctor of Physical Therapy, and one of our incredible Women's Best athletes. In her own words, Sherein explores how strength and femininity can coexist, and how movement has helped her redefine what it means to feel empowered. Follow Sherein on Instagram @s_abdelhady.
Every woman who has dared to ever touch a weight has heard voices telling them not to get “too big”, “too strong”, ”too muscular” in fear of losing their femininity. But strength doesn’t take away from femininity. It only adds depth, resilience, and power. And every added plate is more than just weight on a bar. It’s a quiet rebellion against smallness, silence, and staying in line.
When women decide to lift heavy it changes the narrative. But it also changes the body in undeniable ways. It builds real strength. It increases bone density, protects joints, and boosts metabolism. Your strength becomes your armor. It protects you not just in the gym, but in everyday life. It’s what helps you carry the groceries, lift your kids, show up for your family, and move through the world with confidence and capability. It’s not just about looking strong. It’s about being strong which in turn allows you to become functional, resilient, and ready for whatever life throws your way. And beyond that there’s the rush of moving weight that once felt impossible. The grounded confidence that comes from knowing your body can handle hard things. The way your feet feel planted firmer on the ground, your shoulders pulled back just a little taller. Strength doesn’t just show up in the mirror. It shows up in your posture, your presence, your ability to walk through the world with certainty.
While choosing to lift heavy may be a physical act, it’s truly a mindset. It’s choosing to show up with tenacity when things get hard. It’s learning to fail, reset, and come back stronger. But, the discipline built under the bar doesn’t just stay in the gym. It also shows up in everyday life. It’s how challenges are faced, how boundaries are held, and how confidence is carried into every room. The lessons learned within the four walls of the gym always translate outside of those four walls. Each time you fail and get back up and try again, each time you show up when you don’t want to, each time you give yourself a little mental pep talk to keep going when it feels like you have nothing left to give…You became more aware of what you are truly capable of which in turn translates into greater confidence, self-assurance, and empowerment both during your workouts and with everything else you are working towards in your life.
Strength training pushes women to embrace space on the platform, in conversation, and in life. Too often, women are taught to shrink: to be polite, to be quiet, to not be “too much.” But lifting heavy flips that script. It demands presence. It teaches that power isn’t something to apologize for. And over time, that confidence bleeds into every part of life whether it’s speaking up in meetings or setting boundaries or standing tall in moments where shrinking used to feel easier.
The act of lifting heavy goes beyond the physical. It’s a catalyst for growth, for confidence, and for change. It might start in the gym, but its impact reaches far beyond the weights. It’s about everything it unlocks outside of it. It’s a reminder that strength is earned, not given. That progress comes from effort, not perfection. And that real, unapologetic power feels even better when it’s chosen for yourself. Every rep is a reclaiming. Every lift is a statement. And every strong woman becomes proof that strength and femininity were never meant to be opposites—they were always meant to coexist.
So if you too have heard the voices telling women not to be “too big”, “too strong”, or ”too muscular” here’s your reminder to tune them out. Exist loudly. Be bold. Watch how unstoppable you become when you stop doubting yourself or entertaining those who doubt you. Believe in your own resilience, recognize that you are powerful beyond measure, and never forget that anything you want is within your reach!
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