Strength Training: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters

Written By Desi Borisova

Strength training used to intimidate me. I thought it meant lifting super heavy weights in a gym full of people who knew exactly what they were doing. But strength training can be simple, effective, and tailored to any fitness level, including yours.

In this post, I’ll break down what strength training really means, why it matters for your overall fitness, and how to get started without overthinking it.

What Is Strength Training?

At its core, strength training means using resistance to make your muscles stronger over time.
That can be:

  • Weights (like dumbbells or barbells)

  • Resistance bands

  • Bodyweight exercises

  • Machines or cables

It’s not just about “getting big”, it’s about teaching your body to handle more.

What Strength Training Is Not

  • Only for athletes or gym-goers

  • About lifting the heaviest weight possible

  • Only effective if you feel sore the next day

  • Just for aesthetics (though that’s a bonus)

You don’t have to deadlift double your bodyweight or follow a strict plan to benefit from strength training. Progress can be slow and steady, and still powerful.

Why Strength Training Matters

Strength training helps with:

  • Better posture

  • More confidence in your body

  • Injury prevention

  • Joint support

  • Easier everyday movement (stairs, lifting, balance)

It also boosts metabolism, bone density, and helps maintain muscle mass as we age.

How I Approach Strength in My Routine

I train for strength 3 days a week (you can start with as few as 2 to see progress!).
I focus on:

  • Lower body

  • Core control

  • Pull-based upper body work (lat pulldowns, rows, scapular strength)

I keep my sessions short but consistent and adjust reps or resistance over time. I’m not chasing max lifts, just building strength that supports my cardio, flexibility, and movement goals.

Strength = Progress, Not Perfection

It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially online. But strength is personal. It’s about what you couldn’t do last month, not what someone else can do today.

Whether you’re working on your first push-up or mastering Romanian deadlifts, you’re a strength trainee the moment you pick up resistance and challenge yourself.

Quick Takeaways

  • Strength training = resistance + progression over time

  • You don’t need a gym to get stronger

  • Start with what you can do and build from there

  • Strong feels good, and it supports your other fitness goals

You don’t have to earn your way into strength training, you can start exactly where you are.

In future posts, I’ll dive deeper into the science of strength training and the most popular, effective approaches out there right now. Things like:

  • The real role of glute training

  • Why progressive overload matters (and how to apply it)

  • Training splits, minimalist routines, and what actually works

  • Strength training myths and what science says instead

Whether you’re training at home, in a gym, or somewhere in between, I’ll share what I’m learning, trying, and adjusting so you can grow stronger with clarity and confidence.

Desi Borisova