Why Women Need to Build Muscle for a Stronger Future

Let’s talk about something that deserves way more hype: getting strong.

Not smaller. Not lighter. Not aiming to change your shape.

Strength for the strength.

The kind that helps you lift yourself up - literally and emotionally.

Because the truth is, as we get older, muscle isn’t a bonus. It’s essential.

Strength for Life - Not Just for Now 

Aging well isn’t just about living longer - it’s about actually enjoying those years.

Strength training now means that when we hit our 70s, 80s, 90s, we’re still independent, mobile, and able to do the things we love.

It’s the difference between climbing mountains or just stairs without worrying if your knees will cope.

It’s rolling around on the floor with your mokopuna (grandkids) and actually being able to get back up.

It’s independence, confidence, and saying yes to things without second-guessing your body.

Building strength now sets you up for decades of freedom. And that’s something worth working for.

The (Annoying but True) Thing About Muscle Loss

Somewhere around our 30s (yes, that soon), our muscle mass starts to slowly dip. By the time we hit our 40s and beyond, that decline speeds up thanks to perimenopause and shifting hormones. The technical term for this slow muscle disappearing act is sarcopenia.

Less muscle means a slower metabolism, higher risk of injury and less mobility to do the things we love.

But it’s not all doom and gloom - you can absolutely fight back.

Research shows that women who lift, push, and pull heavy things (yes, including their own body weight) can preserve muscle, keep their metabolism fired up, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, injury, and general creakiness.

You deserve to feel good in your body at every stage of life.

Why Strength Training Hits Different in Perimenopause

Perimenopause is like puberty’s dramatic older sister. It brings mood swings, sleep struggles, and - most frustratingly - hormonal changes that make it harder to build and keep muscle. Estrogen, which plays a key role in muscle maintenance, starts to dip, and suddenly, that “easy” workout you used to do isn’t cutting it anymore.

And it's frustrating.

That’s where strength training becomes your best friend. 

Lifting heavy (whether it’s dumbbells or your own body on a pole) supports:

✅ Muscle and bone density

✅ Blood sugar balance

✅ A stronger metabolism

✅ Mood, energy, and focus

✅ Makes you feel unstoppable

Basically, it helps you feel more like you again.

Reframing Menopause: A Badge of Honour

For too long, menopause has been treated like something to dread, when really, it’s a transition into a new kind of power. We spend decades gathering wisdom, resilience, and life experience - why not celebrate that?

Instead of seeing menopause as “the end” of something, let’s recognize it as a badge of honour, a sign of strength, growth, and the freedom that comes with knowing exactly who you are.

And what better way to honour that transition than by building a body that can carry you boldly into this next phase of life?

Cardio Won’t Cut It On Its Own, But Strength Training Will

Cardio has its place - it’s great for heart health. But if muscle is what you’re trying to build (or keep), it’s not enough. You need resistance. You need load. You need movement that challenges your muscles to grow.

Strength training - whether that’s lifting weights, resistance exercises, or bodyweight movements - does just that.

And if the thought of lifting a barbell in a gym makes you yawn? That’s where pole dancing slides in (literally) as the ultimate strength-building workout in disguise.

Why Pole Dancing is the Most Fun Way to Get Strong

Pole dancing is strength training in disguise. 

You're lifting, pulling, climbing - all using your own bodyweight. The kind of strength that translates into real life.

🔥 Full-body strength. You’re pulling, pushing, and holding your own body weight. It’s the kind of workout that doesn’t feel like a workout.

🔥 Core like a superhero. Every spin, climb, and hold lights up your abs like nothing else.

🔥 Bone health boost. Weight-bearing exercise? Check. Stronger bones? Double check.

🔥 Confidence? Off the charts. Because lifting yourself off the ground feels just as awesome as it looks.

The Bottom Line: Find What Makes You Strong

Being strong isn’t about chasing a certain body type. It’s about being able to show up fully - now and later.

Whether it’s pole, resistance bands, barbells, or bodyweight - the best kind of movement is the one that keeps you coming back.

Because strong doesn’t just feel better.

It helps you live better.

It’s an investment in your future self - so you can actually enjoy life as you age.

So, what’s your move? 😉