“Strength does not come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” — Rumi
Facing the things that limit us as individuals is a natural part of human nature. Because we already have strengths in certain areas, our ego can lead us to believe we don’t need to grow beyond them. However, real growth comes from stepping outside of those comfort zones and developing in areas where we are weaker.
For me, my training nemesis has been leg workouts—not because I don’t want to do them, but due to a common stigma. Men are often associated with having stronger upper bodies, while women are seen as having stronger lower bodies. On top of that, I simply wasn’t accustomed to training legs. In reality, I understand that there needs to be balance.
Just like a tree needs strong roots to support its trunk and branches, our legs serve as the foundation for our entire body. Without a solid base, everything else becomes limited.
I’ve started incorporating leg exercises that I’m familiar with into my routine, such as Smith machine squats, leg extensions, hamstring curls, and calf raises using lighter weights with higher repetitions. Part of the growth journey is accepting that you don’t know every exercise and being willing to learn—from others and from your own experience—to improve in areas where you recognize weakness.
We all have areas where we can continue to grow. The gym should be more than just a place to focus on appearance or compare strength—it should be an environment for self-development.
— SZNSFIT