“Never skip leg day” gets thrown around a lot — and for years it was aimed at the people who trained chest and arms twice a week and ignored everything below the waist. That created some genuinely awful physiques. Over the last decade the tide has turned (helped massively by more women getting into training, where legs are often the main focus).

There’s a strange snobbery that sometimes creeps into the fitness world. People can look down on those who train purely to look better — to be leaner, more muscular, more defined. I think that’s a massive mistake.

We all train for different reasons. Some people chase strength. Some want better fitness. Others want longevity, pain-free movement, or mental clarity. And yes — some people simply want to look better naked. None of these motivations are more “valid” than the others.

Strength training during pregnancy can be one of the best ways to support your overall health during your time carrying the bubba. As a personal trainer in Brighton I've worked with women over the decades throughout all stages of life, and I've seen time and time again how strength training during pregnancy can make the journey so much easier and deliver benefits to mother and child. 

Working as a personal trainer in Brighton for the last 25 years, I’ve trained in nearly every independent gym the city has ever had. Some came and went like old training partners you barely remember. Others… I still visit today, and the machines feel like familiar old friends — the kind where just gripping the handles brings back whole phases of my life.

When people think of strength training, they often think of punishing workouts and young athletes pushing themselves to the limit.

The truth is much simpler. Strength training is, and should be for everyone. I’ve been a personal trainer in Brighton now well over 20 years and one things I’ve discovered is the best things you can do for your longevity, mobility and long-term health.

Training to failure means taking a set to the point where you physically can’t complete another rep with good form — not just when it starts to hurt.

For example, during a dumbbell curl, you keep lifting as the rep speed slows down, your arms shake, and finally, no matter how much you grit your teeth or shout, the dumbbells won’t move another millimetre. That’s true muscular failure.

Most women still worry that lifting weights will make them bulky — but the truth couldn’t be further from that. Resistance training is one of the most powerful tools for bone density, metabolic health, and longevity, especially after 30.

1. Training Too Hard, Too Often

Pushing yourself every session might feel productive, but recovery drives progress.

If you’re constantly sore, sleeping badly, or feeling flat in the gym, you’re likely overtraining and under-recovering.

Fix:

Plan deloads every 4–6 weeks, manage intensity, and prioritise sleep.

Most people need 2–3 hard sessions per week — not six.