From the Weight Room to the Boardroom: How Strength Training Builds Professional Confidence

Trevor was a student of ‘Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding’ by Arnold Schwarzenegger when we met in high school. He taught me how to use the equipment, showed me proper form, and designed workout programs.  Mostly, he inspired me to be comfortable and confident in the weight room. 

So many people - particularly women - are uncomfortable going into the weight room, because they are out of shape, don’t know what they are doing, or intimidated by the male dominated space.  So much posing, sweating and grunting!  

Before you start - to avoid injury - work with a personal trainer to show you the equipment and proper ways to use it.  Other than that, just go in and do your thing.

We’re aware of the health benefits of weight training - build muscle strength, increase bone density, and boost metabolism for fat loss.  Weight training also gave me these professional benefits: 

Improved posture

A colleague once told me that I visibly adjust my posture prior to entering a conference room.  I’d straighten my spine, pull my shoulders back, and look straight ahead.  I walked into the room LOOKING prepared and confident.  I may still be nervous inside!

Proper weight lifting form often involves standing up straight to elongate your spine and pulling your shoulders back with head held high, chin parallel to the ground, and eyes looking forward.  Feet shoulder width apart.  

This is also the posture that shows confidence.  You are taking up space rather than scrunching yourself up to be as small as possible.  

Being strong

Feeling physically strong makes me feel powerful and confident physically and mentally.  I feel like I can win in a fight or at least make it an even contest.  I’m a petite Asian woman (with no fighting skills) so the chances of me winning a fight are low.  But I FEEL like I can win the fight which is the most important part.

My physical and mental strength are my armor against intimidation tactics.

Comfortable in a room full of men

In my early 20s, my work out times coincided with a group of amateur body builders at my gym.  They were huge!  One time, I noticed that one of the bodybuilders was exercising his shoulders similar to a workout that I do with slightly different form.  So I asked him to explain the difference to me.  He happily obliged and I learned something new.

As a senior tech executive, I am often the only woman in the room.  My time working out in a male dominated weight room as a young woman helped me become more comfortable being in a room full of men in professional settings.