07/13/2026
I know there’s a lot of debate about the “best” way for women over 40 to build strength - heavy compound lifts, functional exercises, free weights over machines...and there are valid arguments for almost every case but, here’s how I look at it...
Exercises are tools - not requirements.
If an exercise helps build one (or more) of the qualities I want, it’s worth considering. If another exercise does the same thing and feels better, I’ll choose that instead.
At the end of the day, most women over 40 don’t just need to be stronger. They need a body that’s well-rounded. That means developing a balance of these 5 qualities:
1. Strength
2. Muscle (hypertrophy)
3. Power
4. Mobility
5. Balance & stability
That’s the framework.
The specific exercises can (and should) change based on your goals, experience, injuries, equipment, energy, or simply what your body responds well to.
So if you feel confused about what exercises you should be doing, instead of asking, “What’s the best lift?” ask, “Are the exercises I’m doing right for me and are they building a balanced, capable body?”
Have you ever felt stuck thinking you had to train a certain way to get results? Let me know below and follow for more tips on training for strength, confidence, and longevity over 40. 💪🏻💛
