And yet, many women are still hesitant to hit the weight rack. This, says Yu, is likely a function of societal pressures to stay lean and avoid “bulking up.” And the pressure starts young: “Girls aren’t encouraged to go to the gym and lift,” she notes, whereas coaches for boys’ sports teams often encourage gym time. “What are we doing—or not doing—for girls to support them in learning how to use their bodies?”Â
