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Women’s Strength Training for Power & Confidence
Originally published in Women’s Health magazine and summarized here.
At 3Score Gym, we know strength isn’t one-size-fits-all—your strong is unique, shaped by your lifestyle, goals, and vision for the future. Every member’s journey begins at a different starting point, whether that means hiking pain-free, keeping up with favorite activities, or staying healthy for decades to come. As Berkeley’s dedicated barbell gym for adults over 40, we specialize in expert strength training tailored to help you discover and build your version of strong. The story shared in “Lifting Weights Is How I Reclaim My Power When Everything Feels Out Of Control” perfectly illustrates how transformative women’s strength training can be, empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and embrace their personal power—physically and mentally.
Lacee Lazoff, a trainer and co-owner of a digital fitness platform, shares her deeply personal journey of reclaiming power through lifting weights amidst overwhelming life changes and emotional upheaval. A couple of years ago, as she approached 40, Lazoff found herself at a crossroads both professionally and personally. She was grappling with the loss of close family members, the end of significant relationships, and the daunting uncertainties of entrepreneurship. Added to these challenges, she unexpectedly found herself living alone in Mexico City, where she didn’t know anyone except her dog and was navigating daily life in her second language.
Finding Solace in strength
Lazoff found comfort in solo gym sessions, relying on kettlebells and barbells as emotional anchors during a turbulent period. These workouts became more than just physical exercise—they were her space to break down, release grief, and process overwhelming feelings. Setting up a small gym on her apartment patio and joining a local facility provided not just familiarity, but a crucial pause from sadness and loneliness. The routine of strength training gave Lazoff structure and a sense of control when much else felt uncertain.
Embracing Vulnerability and Confidence
Entering the traditionally male-dominated environments of gyms, Lazoff discovered her capacity for confidence and vulnerability. She began filming her strength sessions and posting them on Instagram, showcasing both her growing physical power and emotional openness. Through this public sharing, she challenged societal norms and asserted herself in spaces typically reserved for men. As Lazoff trained, she wore sweatpants, a touch of mascara—and grunted without shame as she moved weights, embracing both her feminine and powerful sides.
Mindset coaching and personal growth
Recognizing the need for deeper healing and understanding, Lazoff started biweekly sessions with a mindset coach. These discussions focused on shifting her perspective: situations weren’t just happening “to” her, they were happening “for” her. The coaching revealed that many of her own stresses stemmed from internalized societal pressures about how a woman should behave, look, and succeed, especially as she neared 40. Strength training became not just physical resistance but spiritual resistance, helping her confront the urge to control and teaching her to flow through life’s unpredictability.
resistance training as rebellion
Lazoff’s experience highlights how lifting weights can be a form of rebellion against patriarchal expectations of femininity. Western culture, she notes, often restricts women to narrow beauty standards, promoting lean bodies and small waists while discouraging visible muscle and physical presence. For Lazoff, sweating, grunting, and lifting heavy contradict these ideals and become a declaration of presence and power. Muscled women challenge stereotypes, stand taller, and grow more assertive, finding confidence in their physical strength and not just in appearance.
rediscovering identity and confidence
During periods when Lazoff felt her life was “circling the drain,” she clung to a mantra: “Things are happening for me.” The process of building muscle provided a reliable sense of accomplishment and control. Changing her body through training—how it looked, felt, and performed—became a transformative act, particularly as she identified as single, childless, and determined to live life on her own terms. Through her journey, Lazoff found previously hidden parts of herself, gaining courage and learning to break free from self-imposed labels and societal limits.
Living Authentically and Empowering Others
Now in the Pacific Northwest, Lazoff continues her journey, surrounded by her dog and best friend, having left Mexico City and relationships that no longer align with her path. She has embraced new opportunities and learned to listen to her body’s needs—resting, eating well, and moving weight without rigid expectations. At 41, she is convinced that physical strength paves the way to true confidence, often missed by many women throughout their lives.
Her most fulfilling experience as a coach has been introducing women to the weight room and catalyzing a “muscle-mindset revolution.” Lazoff encourages women, regardless of their circumstances, to recognize that life’s tides will shift, but having a muscled body and resilient mindset will help weather storms with confidence and poise. She urges every woman: remember, events are happening for you. When inner strength falters, fueling outer strength through weightlifting can be transformative. The barbell is always waiting to empower and renew.
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