Written for a News Reporting and Writing class – the task was to cover a prevalent trend and I chose to write about more women picking up weightlifting.
The break up with her boyfriend of two years left Ms Charis Liew broken-hearted. She cooped herself up in her room, and drowned her sorrows in tubs of ice cream.
But once her roommate dragged her to the gym, there was no turning back. What started as a distraction turned into a passion, and the 23-year-old soon found herself putting down the Ben and Jerry’s and picking up the weights.
The Human Resource Specialist now trains five times a week and is feeling the best she has ever felt with her body.
“I was born with a curvy build, but weight training has given me the confidence to be comfortable in my own skin,” she said.
Ms Charis Liew is one of the many women in Singapore who have broken stereotypes and picked up what is commonly considered a male sport. “I used to be so scared of going to the gym because it was like a ‘bro-zone’, completely filled with guys, but now so many girls are lifting weights too,” she said.
Weight training did not use to be popular among women as many feared its effects, said President of the Singapore Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Alex Betts. “Many women stuck to cardiovascular exercises as they thought weight training would make them too manly.”
But with increased information available online debunking this myth, more women are lifting weights. For example, the rising popularity of weightlifters posting pictures of their fitness progress on social media has influenced more women to lift weights, said Mr Betts.
Such pictures serve as evidence to women that weight training can result in a sexy body without the manliness they had imagined, he added.
Mr Betts assures women that lifting heavy weights does not immediately equate to bulging muscles. “Men have more testosterone that enable them to build big muscles quickly. With the right mix of cardio and weight training, women can get fit without getting too muscular,” said the 33-year-old personal trainer.
Although most women lift weights to improve physical health, others do it to improve mental health as well.
Having battled eating disorders since the age of 18, Ms Charis Liew had always struggled with her body image. But in picking up the weights, she dropped her bad eating habits.
“By lifting weights, I have learnt to love myself because I know that I am already putting in the hard work to get healthier,” she said.
“And this is why I enjoy weight training, it makes you mentally stronger.”
Also using weights to outweigh negative thoughts is Ms Tyen Fong. The freelance fitness trainer was crowned overall Bikini Champion at the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA) Muscle War in February this year.
Three years ago, she turned to weight training as a means to cope with depression. “I have been addicted to it ever since,” said the 21-year-old.
The most fulfilling part of the entire process is watching hard work result in a stronger and fitter body, she added.
However, not everyone is able to appreciate the sport. Aspiring bodybuilder Clarice Yeo recalls her mother’s disapproval: “She told me to stop before I end up looking like a man.”
But her mother was not the only one who expressed distaste. “One of my guy friends also told me I look too intimidating now,” said the 21-year-old undergraduate.
Despite these criticisms, Ms Yeo continues to train six times a week on top of her busy university schedule. “I want to prove them that I can be muscular but remain feminine,” she said.
Weighing in on facing criticisms is two-time Women’s Physique winner at the Arnold Amateur International Bodybuilding Championship, Ms Joan Liew. A veteran in the bodybuilding scene, the 40-year-old has been lifting weights since the age of 17
“Back then, there were very few muscular girls in Singapore, and I used to get nasty stares from people who walked past.”
However, the stares did not deter her. “Their negativity only made me want to chase my bodybuilding dreams harder,” said the veteran, who aspired to be a bodybuilder ever since she picked up her first Muscle and Fitness magazine when she was 16 years old.
Having watched the popularity of weight training grow, Ms Joan Liew recognises that many misconceptions about women who lift weights still exist.
“Society needs to understand that a woman’s femininity is not compromised if she’s muscular. And if being muscular is what you want, don’t let others’ judgements hold you back.”
adeline 