I started weight training in January.
I’d mainly tried exercise classes with a strength-training element to them in the past, such as Les Mills Body Pump and Barry’s Bootcamp classes, and loved both, but when I popped into Dubs Fitness in Mayfair and saw the sign “Training, not Exercise” I knew I was about to enter a whole new world.
My training sessions at Dabbs Fitness are never booked with more than eight people (though you can opt for a one-to-one session), meaning you get personalised advice from an expert trainer.
A personal touch
At first I worried this would be intimidating – I love being able to hide at the back of the class behind 20 other people – but by the second session I was thrilled with the individual attention we were receiving, and then annoyed when I booked a class at another gym and there were people around.
My weight training sessions at Dabbs Fitness feel more like a personal training appointment than a group session and I receive instruction on every movement to ensure success and continued improvement.
See the results
After booking my first session, I asked gym founder James Dabbs when I could expect to see results, and he gave me a surprisingly realistic answer: “About 23 hours a day outside the gym and an hour in,” he said, adding that you should start to get stronger relatively quickly, within a few weeks.
As for whether you look stronger or not, it all comes down to how often you book in, and if you look after yourself nutritionally (something Dabbs Fitness can help with, offering supplement and nutrition advice).
The benefits of weight training
The most obvious health benefit of weight training is that it makes you stronger and makes everyday tasks easier, but weight training also helps you burn calories more efficiently.
While you might imagine that sweaty cardio is the best way to burn calories, weight training is also essential because it can support your metabolism.
Building muscle helps you burn calories faster while at rest and continues to burn calories for hours after you exercise.
That said, I didn’t start weight training to change the way I looked, but the benefits I’ve gained from weightlifting have changed my life more than just what I see in the mirror.
Here’s what I discovered…
1. I grew as a runner
I’m not a particularly strong runner and my favourite course is the Parkrun 5k, but my local event is quite hilly and since I started training with Dubs Fitness I’ve become much better at running the hills on the course.
Weight training strengthens my muscles and joints, so my legs don’t hurt after running uphill.
2. I am part of a community
While I used to enjoy the anonymity of gym classes, booking sessions where I could hide in the back and rush out once the session was over, what I love most about Dubs Fitness is that we are in small groups so often that the trainers know what I am lifting. When a trainer notices that I am lifting heavier than I did the week before, or puts a different weight on my barbell and says they know I can lift it, I feel incredibly proud.
3. I want to live a healthier life
Now that I’m working hard at weight training I’ve realised how much what I eat affects my training – if I know I have a session booked for the next day I try not to have a glass of wine the night before – there’s no point in feeling awful and having it affect the training I love.
4. I feel like I’m investing in my future.
I work with a lot of menopause specialists and have spoken to many women who say weight training has helped them pre- and post-menopause. For me, it’s still a long way off, but starting now can only be good for the future.
‘Not only is strength training essential for bone health and muscle mass during menopause, it has a range of other benefits too,’ explains menopause training expert Caroline Idiens..
“Weightlifting can help prevent weight gain during menopause by boosting your metabolism and improving your posture. It also has a huge impact on your mental health during a time when you may feel stressed and anxious.”
5. See your progress
I’ve been going to spin classes for over five years, and although I know it improves my endurance, I’m not sure if I’m making any real progress.
After a few weeks of weight training, you realize you can add more weight to the barbell. The pride you feel when your trainer encourages you to do so brings a smile to your face when you leave the studio.
A friend of mine started weight training after giving birth but felt like she’d never get back to her pre-pregnancy fitness level. Weightlifting was new to her, but she saw immediate progress, which was a huge encouragement when trying to get back into exercise after a long break.
Related: Why Exercise Helps You Feel Like Yourself – And Eliminates Mommy Guilt
6. I have become stronger
The most obvious benefit is that you will feel stronger than ever and feel proud every time you add an inch of weight to the barbell. Even the slightest extra plate counts as recognition, and that can be enough to motivate you to keep training.
Learn more about Dabbs Fitness
