When most of us hear the word ‘strong’ we think of a man. If at any time we think of a woman, we envision huge muscles, big legs, a deep voice — overall, we make her out to be more masculine than she actually is.

Strength has no gender.

This past weekend our gym entered six athletes (three male, three female) into Find Your Grind’s third annual Strongman Competition.

The title is misleading. It should say ‘strongperson’, because strength has no gender.

There were four categories — female student (first time!), male student, women and men — and it was amazing.

The day consisted of progressively heavy power cleans (with a log); 350lb tire flips; farmer’s walks (350lbs for females and 580lbs for men) and sled pulls.

A heavy cement ball was also there, to be picked up multiple times.

Wow, right? It was an amazing day made all the brighter by cheering fans and empowering music; an overall thrilling atmosphere.

Bermuda got to see first hand that strength comes in all genders, body types and ages.

Strength has no gender.

I want to remind my female readers that there is no reason to think that you cannot be strong or develop the strength or athleticism that your male counterpart may have.

Rid your mind of the misconception that strength equates masculinity.

Stop that nonsense.

It’s time for women to embrace their athleticism, embrace their strength, embrace the grit, power, mental tenacity within ourselves and stop thinking of fitness as a no-sweat, pretty girl regime, the only thing acceptable for females.

Strength has no gender.

When you enter your gym environment, rid your mind that any show of grit, grunt or sweat makes you masculine.

Rather, remind yourself that it is OK to be strong, it is OK to be powerful.

Pick up your weights, pick up your medicine ball, sit on the leg press with the mindset of a warrior.

Don’t hold back your strength to make any male feel better about himself.

Don’t hold back your power because a female is looking at you in disgust; their mentality is skewed.

That’s OK for them, but not for you if you know, deep down, that you want to embrace your inner warrior, strength and athleticism. Do it!

Strength has no body type. When we think ‘strong’ we may also think lean muscle, small waist, aesthetically pleasing bodies.

As evident in this weekend’s event, Bermuda saw all shapes, sizes and heights represented. Every athlete — yes, athlete — had different muscle-to-fat ratios, from the leanest female to the thickest legged, tallest male.

It was a variety of body types represented and each and every athlete showcased their grit, strength and power.

Strength has no body type.

When you enter your gym environment, do not be intimidated by whatever body types you see.

Don’t be concerned that you do not look like them or worry that you have to look a certain way to be in the gym.

Pick your head up, square your shoulders back and be proud that you are in the gym.

You know that you are strong and are making efforts to improve on your journey.

Whether you are the leanest male on the floor, thickest female on the squat rack, do what you entered the gym for. Rid your mind of thoughts that your strength has to be downplayed because you do not “fit” into the box of what we think strength looks like.

Strength has no age.

Luckily, most of us aren’t so flawed that we think that age equates strength.

At a younger age, our bodies may be able to do more, maybe.

However, if we are diligent in our training, if we focus on our own journey, we can maintain and improve on mobility and most definitely increase our strength.

Find Your Grind had athletes from as young as 14 to as “old” as 45. Surely, strength had no age at this event.

Strength has no age.

When you enter your gym environment, do not hold back your strength because you’re the youngest on the floor.

Do not hold back your strength because you are the oldest in the squat rack. Remind yourself that it is your journey and that improving on your strength is none of anyone else’s business.

Remind yourself that showcasing your strength, power, grit and metal tenacity is what athletes do and that strength has no age, strength has no gender, strength has no body type. Being strong is not negative, it is not wrong, it is not “too much”.

Remember that this is your journey, your lifestyle. Be unapologetic about every decision that you make whilst living it. Be powerful. Be strong. Be unapologetically you.

Dre Hinds is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com or 599-0412. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram under @Absbydre