Stronger Than They Think
Liftin’ Ladies
Words by Taylor Dutch Photos by Eric Morales
The female-only class is an introduction to weightlifting with the goal of teaching safe techniques, exercises, and movements for women to feel empowered in the weight room.
While sitting in a circle in the middle of the fitness room at Austin Bouldering Project, each student shares their reasons for attending Liftin’ Ladies class. Some are hoping to take control of their fitness, some desire to make the transition from personal trainer to independent workouts, and some just want to feel more confident in the weight room. In every answer, the primary goal is the same: to become stronger together.
“I want women to realize that they’re stronger than they think,” says Dylan Polk, a personal trainer who instructs the four-week Liftin’ Ladies program every Sunday afternoon at Austin Bouldering Project. Emily Ammon, a former instructor at Austin Bouldering Project, developed the class, and Polk, who joined the program as an instructor about a year ago, credits Ammon with creating a community of women who lift with confidence.
“There’s plenty of women who are comfortable lifting weights, but the vast majority are insecure in that respect so [Ammon] wanted to build a community of women who, after learning the basics of lifting, would become friends after class and lift together,” Polk explains.
Coming from a soccer and long-distance running background, Polk also found empowerment in her own body through weightlifting. “Getting introduced to weightlifting and seeing my strength brought a level of self-confidence and body acceptance,” Polk enthuses. “That’s ultimately what I want to stress to the women in the room; I don’t care where you’re starting. Whether you’ve been lifting all your life or you’ve never picked up a dumbbell before, there’s a place for all of us to start, and I need you to not judge yourself or your progress.”
The first class focuses on learning deadlifts, a training lift that is known as the basis for building total body strength. The second class teaches skills for squatting. The third session is spent learning accessory lifts such as overhead press, bicep curls, and rows, while the fourth class helps students develop their own workout program. The final session connects the students’ new skills with their personal fitness goals.
Ultimately, the goal of the class is for women to gain confidence and feel empowered in a space that is typically dominated by men. Polk hopes that students “feel like they’ve seen themselves progress and that they’ve been able to gain a level of confidence not cockiness, just knowing that there’s still more to learn and be taught but feeling comfortable coming in and working out on their own.”
Additionally, Liftin’ Ladies aims to provide the tools while building friendships along the way. After 90 minutes of learning new techniques together, the class concludes similar to how it began: celebrating each other’s strength with a group fist bump.
Did you know?
Austin Bouldering Project is a rock climbing gym that offers bouldering, yoga, and fitness classes for its members. Additional fitness classes include several levels of circuit training, core and abs, and recovery.
Contact
(512) 645-4633
979 Springdale Road
austinboulderingproject.com
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