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You're listening to Life Kit.

From NPR.

Hey, it's Mariel.

Experience has taught me that I don't like the gym.

They so often have these big bright lights and they're loud and they smell sweaty

and you have to wait in line to use the weights. And then when you are using the

weights, there's some guy watching you wondering when you're going to be done. And then maybe you feel

self-conscious. Like, am I even doing this right? And don't get me started on those machines. Some of them

I genuinely cannot figure out what they're for or whether it's worth my time to work that very

specific muscle.

All of this sensory overload, plus a lack of knowledge, led me for a long time to say,

okay, you know what, weightlifting is not for me. I'll go for a run in the park. I'll do yoga,

I'll go rock climbing, maybe I'll do a plank, but never a deadlift or a bench press. Until this summer,

I ended up going to a gym that is quiet and not crowded, and I worked with someone who knows

what they're doing. They taught me some basic movements. It was incredible how quickly I saw results.

I felt stronger, more capable of lifting my groceries or a heavy suitcase. I had less lower back

pain and neck pain. And I just felt good in my body. Present, alive, capable. Strength training

has a lot of health benefits. And if you've never really done it or you find it intimidating or

you just don't know where to start, I promise it is easier than you think.

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