David Kirschen - Strength Training Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Lifting Weights for a Lean, Strong, Fit Body

I first set foot in a gym when I was 15 years old, after deciding to take a weight training course in high school. You know: one of those classes run by the football coach that offers just enough credits to fill your workload. Little did I realize just what I was getting into!

Thrown into a room full of boys, I felt motivated to keep up. I am a competitor at heart and I wasnt about to let being a girl stand in my way. And while I certainly couldve done things better (perhaps gotten more coaching or followed a better program), I was seeing actual progress, and that was all the confidence boosting I needed to move forward.

I continued weight training in college, doing what most women do when they first get involved with weightsI grabbed a fitness magazine off the rack, followed the routines as they were written, and wondered why I didnt look like the girl on the cover. Sure, I made some progress; but it felt like I was just spinning my wheels, and I was starting to become frustrated. But rather than get discouraged, I forged on and kept researching and learning how to get stronger and better at strength training.

I began competing in powerlifting at the age of 19, and I was immediately hooked. Why? Because no matter what the outcome was, I always found myself to be capable of more than I expected. I was doing things I never thought possible. As clich as it sounds, this proved to be a life changer for me. 16 years later, Im still competingnot only in powerlifting, but in physique (bodybuilding) as well.

After my experiences with competing, I eventually realized that I wanted to make a career out of strength training. I wanted to help athletes and gym-goers get stronger, faster, bigger, more athletic, and more in shape. And so, I became a strength coach at a Division I University, and now work with people from all walks of life: young, old, and in between.

Perhaps I had the advantage of starting young and reaping some early benefits, but Im confident that anyone can experience the same effects by taking their strength training to the next level. The iron is always there, waiting to be forged. Youyour body and your mindare stronger than you realize.

The Strength Training Bible for Womenwill give you all the tools you need to start your own journey to empowerment.

Julia Ladewski