Ladies Who Lift was launched by personal trainer Alan Hutcheson earlier this year after noticing there was no other training of its kind available exclusively for women.
Women are being encouraged to flex their muscles and come along to the first ladies powerlifting class in West Dunbartonshire.
The innovative Ladies Who Lift is the brainchild of personal trainer Alan Hutcheson, who launched the programme earlier this year after noticing there was no other training of its kind available exclusively for women.
The 30-year-old decided to embark on the weightlifting venture after training as a personal trainer two years ago.
While working with his clients, Alan became aware that more and more women were interested in training using free weights but there was still a stigma that put a lot of women off taking part.
He decided to launch Ladies Who Lift to give women the platform to build their confidence and show them that lifting weights was a great way to get fit.
Alan said: “I started off as a personal trainer and worked one-to-one with clients but I realised it wasn’t affordable to everyone.
“I think in this area of fitness women are starting to realise that lifting weights doesn’t make you big and bulky.
“It’s becoming more popular among women these days to take part in weightlifting to keep fit.
“When they come in and are putting a big heavy bar on their neck they can feel quite nervous about it, but they eventually build their confidence and they love it.”
Alan and fellow trainer Garry Hagen have been overwhelmed at the popularity of the course which he runs in Marine Craft Gym in Dumbarton.
The Marine Craft is well known for producing British, and World Champions and also a number of world record holders, including member Arlene Sweeney, 34, who holds three records in the 48kg class –the squat, the bench press and the deadlift.
And Alan is delighted his course is proving that weightlifting is not just for men.
He added: “The Marine Craft has a name for producing powerlifting World Champions and that can make people quite apprehensive, but the guys in the gym are great and are always happy to give the girls some tips. And they are in no way intimidated by any of the guys that train here which is exactly what we wanted to see.
“We’ve been amazed at the response and I’m hoping to set up an advanced class for anyone who wants to keep doing it and progress once the programme is finished.”
For more information visit the Ladies Who Lift Facebook Page.
Courtesy of: Daily Record