20 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be working out with a group of women.

Back in 2017, I invited people from the gym to workout with me two times a week. For the last year it’s been me and these three amazing women.

The reason I never imagined things would turn out this way is because, the way I see it, most people, particularly women, don’t workout as hard as me.

Bear in mind, I am a hardcore lifter from way back – it’s the reason Barb and I started the gym in the first place. I wouldn’t expect the normal person that is just strength training to stay in shape to keep up with me – or even to want to.

I typically lift heavy and to failure. I look to get stronger every time I lift. Most people don’t do this in their training. For many, working out is about keeping what they have rather then adding strength.

Also, effort and intensity are required to build muscle. This is not something most people in our age demographic are used to. Pushing to use heavy weights and working muscles to failure is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. It is outside the comfort zone of most people as they likely have not done this in a long time – if ever.

But my workout buddies have decided that they want to be stronger – that they want to push and be better. And as they push themselves to get better, they encourage the others in the group to do the same.

We all get along and I love being in the group, and every day we train, we work hard. Some days there’s very little socializing and we’re all business.

Anyone that has been in a group like this or has had some serious personal training probably knows how successful a group dynamic can be with pushing and encouraging. Everyone is an example and a cheerleader.

After months of drop sets, eccentric movements, and now some hypertrophy workouts, I am convinced these women know how to strength train heavy and hard. They push themselves to their limits and as a result we all can see and feel the benefits.

20 years ago, I would never have thought a bunch of women in their 50’s would be capable of working out as hard as I do.

Live and learn.

Ron