Strong looks different here: Freedom Health
Strength training is essential for women, especially in perimenopause and menopause, yet many women still don’t know where to start.
You’ve heard it before: strength training is essential for women, especially as you age. Yet for many, that message can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you know it’s safe? What if your body isn’t ready for lifting weights?
Fear and uncertainty
“I see this every day in our studio,” says Cath Julius, Clinical Director of Freedom Health Physio & Pilates. “Women want to feel stronger, but fear, past injuries, or simply not knowing where to begin can hold them back.
“I had a client tell me recently, ‘I want to get stronger, but every time I try, it hurts or I get discouraged because I realise how weak I really am.’ And that’s exactly why so many women give up before they even start.”
The right kind of challenge
After more than 20 years working with women, Cath has learned that strength isn’t just about the numbers on a barbell.
“Real progress begins with movement that challenges just enough – enough to spark change, but not overwhelm. That first taste of success is everything,” she says. “It builds confidence. Confidence shapes belief. And belief is what keeps you moving consistently.”
Expert guidance matters
The team at Freedom Health Physio & Pilates, who are a group of physio and Pilates therapists with over 100 years of combined clinical experience, know that strength isn’t about lifting weights first.
“It’s about trusting your body, improving mobility, and learning control. Every session is designed so you feel capable from the very first movement,” Cath explains.
Strength for life
This approach doesn’t just prepare you to exercise safely; it transforms the way you move and feel every day. Strength shows up in how you walk, bend, reach, and step into your next chapter of life with confidence and ease.
“Strong looks different here,” says Cath. “It starts with feeling capable. It grows with confidence. And it lasts because it’s built on awareness, connection, and intelligent movement. For women who’ve been told lifting weights is the only path to strength, it’s time to try a different way – one that honours your body, respects your experience, and helps you move freely, confidently, and powerfully for years to come.”
