Living with cerebral palsy has always made exercise complicated.
For me, movement has never been as simple as “just get up and do it.” Advice like “go to the gym,” “build strength,” or “push yourself harder” often overlooks the reality that every body works differently.
But the way we talk about exercise is changing.
There was a time when strength training brought to mind images of heavy weights, bodybuilders, and fitness being measured by appearance or how much someone could lift.
That image is shifting.
In 2026, strength training has become part of everyday conversations about health. It is no longer just for athletes or people chasing a certain body shape. More people are using strength to feel better, move better, and invest in their future.
Studies have shown that resistance training can support strength, mobility, and long-term health (Westcott, 2012).
But perhaps the biggest change is that strength is becoming less about appearance and more about what it gives us emotionally: confidence, independence, stability, and trust in our own bodies.
For years, exercise was often framed around weight loss – calories burned, steps taken, numbers on a scale. But health is about much more than that.
Being strong can mean having more energy, feeling more capable, or knowing your body can support the life you want to live.
Strength also does not have to mean spending hours in a gym. It can be resistance exercises at home, carrying, stretching, adapting movement, or slowly building confidence with weights.
Exercise is not about proving something. It is simply often about giving yourself more possibilities.
The future of fitness is perhaps recognising that there is no single perfect workout. What works for one person may not work for another. The important thing is finding movement that fits your life and supports your goals.
Maybe true strength is not about chasing the hardest workout. Maybe it is about building a body you can rely on.
And that feels like a much healthier definition of strength.
