Powerlifter and fitness influencer, Stefi Cohen, has been on a mission to break stigmas surrounding women, in the bodybuilding world, for as long as one can remember. Cohen is a devoted advocate of women taking up weight training. Not long ago she bashed a man for defining how a woman should look and train. She believes that only weak men are afraid of strong women. Cohen uses her social media platforms to spread her message and encourage women to train as they deem fit.

Recently, she took to her Instagram to share an encouraging message. While addressing the misconceptions, Cohen shed light on how subtly women have been pushed to the sidelines, for centuries. This has, in turn, resulted in many women losing their confidence. Cohen later explained how weightlifting can help them gain that confidence back.

Stefi Cohen urges women to fight against the stigma

Earlier today, 25x world record powerlifter, Stefi Cohen, posted a video on her Instagram. In the video, Cohen talked about why women need to lift weights. She started by saying, “Women need iron and I’m not talking about the vitamin. I’m talking about the barbell.” Cohen claims there is a stigma associated with women lifting weights. It stems from an antiquated view of what female bodies are capable of.

Stefi Cohen revealed that a reputed Harvard professor named Dr. Edward Clarke argued that women’s bodies were more complicated than men’s because they need to develop without being hampered by intellectual effort. Cohen believes that “From the moment we’re encouraged to be on the sidelines as cheerleaders while the boys are playing sports,” women are looked down upon as decorative objects.

Read More: “This Is Painfully Accurate”: 25x World Record Power Lifter Turned Boxer Explaining How People View Athletes Taking Supplements Blows Up the Internet

This has become so deep-rooted in society that many women have lost their confidence. Taking advantage of the situation, many industries make a profit by trying to sell it back as external objects. But Cohen has a different solution.

One-step solution – Lifting weights

Stefi Cohen believes that lifting weights gifts confidence by developing resistance and resilience, through training. The barbell demonstrates how strong women can be. Furthermore, the doctors revealed in the caption that weight training strengthens the bones. It also prevents osteoporosis.

Additionally, it makes one gain confidence, be competent and feel empowered. Weight lifting also opens the gateway for women to interact with like-minded women who weight train. Cohen revealed her life has changed, for the better, since she started lifting weights. Likewise, she believes it’ll change the lives of other women too.

Watch this story: 33-Year-Old Female Bodybuilder Shares Top Tips for Building muscle without protein shakes