Finding emotional release in a bout of strength training

As more people work out to beat stress, fitness centres are offering holistic services that enable all-round healing

- Anjali Kochhar

A few years ago, Huda (she goes by one name) from Delhi, noticed she was gaining weight, losing hair and always had a vague sense of anxiety. The 26-year-old communications professional spent long hours at work and never managed to get her eight hours of sleep. She enrolled at a local gym for strength training just to keep off the weight but found it renewed her confidence instead. "Lifting gave me something more than physical strength; it gave me confidence. That confidence pushed me to resign from my job," she shares. As she worked out for 9-10 months regularly, it became clear to her that if she could change through training, she could help others do the same—and a fitness coach was born.

Now, when a client tells her they feel an emotional release while lifting or strength training, she nods. "Strength training isn't just about building muscle. It rewires your brain and body," says Huda, who has been training clients for over a year now. "It boosts your mood by increasing endorphins and dopamine, your feelgood chemicals, and reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that, when elevated for too long, leads to poor sleep, belly fat, sugar cravings, and hair fall."