Why Strength Training is a Non-Negotiable
As a competitive powerlifter and strength coach, strength training has shaped my life in more ways than I can count. I’ve spent years under the bar building my own strength and helping others do the same. But the truth is strength training isn’t just for lifters like me. It’s one of the most powerful tools anyone can use to feel better, move better, and live a longer, healthier life.
You don’t need to step on a platform or hit a certain number on the bar to benefit from strength training. What you do need is a commitment to becoming just a little stronger, more resilient, and more capable every day. That’s what I’ve seen change lives, not just in athletes, but in busy parents, working professionals, and beginners in their 50s who once thought strength training “wasn’t for them.”
Strength Isn’t Just Physical… It’s Foundational
In my own journey, strength training started as a way to chase numbers and get jacked but over time, I realized it was doing so much more than just building muscle. It was making my body more resilient, fewer aches, fewer injuries (aside from my recent string of bad luck), and more confidence in everything from lifting groceries to carrying furniture.
For the everyday person? That same strength training:
Improves posture and joint stability
Increases bone density
Builds functional strength that makes daily life easier (yes, even things like playing with your kids or going up stairs without getting winded)
It’s not just about being strong in the gym. It’s about being strong for life.
You Burn More Than Calories, You Build a Better Engine
One of the biggest misconceptions I see from beginners is the idea that cardio is the only way to “burn fat.” The truth? Muscle is your metabolic engine. When you build muscle, your body becomes more efficient, you burn more at rest, you maintain strength while dropping body fat, and your metabolism stays healthier as you age.
Yes, you can lose weight doing cardio alone, but without strength training, a good chunk of that will be muscle loss and that’s not a tradeoff I want for myself or any of my clients.
It Builds Discipline and Confidence
What strength training taught me and what I see it teach my athletes and clients every day is that progress isn’t about motivation. It’s about consistency. You show up, you do the work, and you watch small wins add up.
I’ve seen people who once hated the gym light up when they hit a PR. I’ve seen women who were afraid of lifting weights walk away stronger and more confident than they ever imagined. And I’ve seen men in their 40s and 50s feel like they’re reversing the clock, not just physically, but mentally.
The iron teaches patience, focus, and grit. It gives back exactly what you put into it.
Training is for Life, Not Just a Sport
As a powerlifter, strength is my sport but as a coach, my mission is to help people realize that strength training is for everyone, not just athletes. You don’t need to deadlift 500 pounds to reap the benefits.
If you want to:
Move pain-free
Feel confident in your body
Age with independence
Reduce your risk of injury or chronic disease
Build a healthy relationship with fitness
Then strength training is your answer.
Final Word: Start Where You Are
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need fancy equipment or two hours a day. You just need to start, with good form, smart programming, and a mindset that progress is the goal, not perfection.
Strength training changed my life. I’ve watched it change the lives of countless others and if you give it a real shot, it can change yours too.
Are you looking for a coach? Get started today by applying for coaching here>> Contact — THE CREW (sheridanstrengthcrew.com)