Cover Alison Brie has been consistent with lifting weights, from ‘Glow’ to the upcoming ‘Masters of the Universe’. (Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Alison Brie has been consistent with lifting weights, from ‘Glow’ to the upcoming ‘Masters of the Universe’. (Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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These nine weightlifting female celebrities have made discipline, resilience and heavy lifting part of their daily lives
Weightlifting, whether it’s deadlifts or functional training, shows a fundamental shift in how women train for strength, stamina and longevity. While many still associate gym time with lean muscle or fasted cardio, these female celebrities are taking a different route. From barbell deadlifts to weighted sled pushes, they’ve made strength training a priority. Some train for roles, others for resilience, but the throughline is clear: weightlifting delivers results that go far beyond aesthetics. These women have put in the reps—and it shows.
Read more: 5 reasons why more women over 40 are choosing Pilates over any other workout
1. Brie Larson
To become Captain Marvel, Brie Larson took on a gruelling nine-month programme involving deadlifts, weighted hip thrusts and chain push-ups. She built from zero pull-ups to weighted versions and once lifted 400 pounds in a hip thrust. Beyond cosmetic, her approach to weightlifting was about physical capacity and mental fortitude, both of which she made public through detailed training videos.
2. Maggie Q
Long known for her action roles, Maggie Q has publicly encouraged women to lift heavier. Her training includes squats with a 135-pound barbell and 30-pound kettlebell drills. She emphasises strength work for bone density and injury prevention, especially as she ages. Her occasional posts show focused, efficient routines grounded in resistance training.
3. Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union’s training is as intense as it is purposeful. Her strength sessions include deadlifts, sled pushes, core work and functional lifts. She’s described weightlifting as essential for maintaining performance and preventing injury. At 50, she’s lifting smarter instead of slowing down.
4. Kristin Cavallari
Cavallari trains with purpose and consistency. She’s posted videos of herself deadlifting 185 pounds and shared that she follows a split-day routine focused on building strength. Her workouts centre around progressive overload and minimal cardio, and her emphasis has shifted toward functional muscle and long-term health.
5. Emma Stone
To embody Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes, Stone overhauled her fitness approach. She worked up to sled pushes and a 185-pound deadlift—serious numbers for someone new to weightlifting. The training wasn’t just for the role; it also gave her a new appreciation for what her body could handle.
6. Alison Brie
Alison Brie’s Glow prep involved a high-performance strength programme including deadlifts over 165 pounds, pull-up sets and loaded sled drills. She’s said that lifting helped her connect mentally and physically in a way traditional workouts never did. She has continued weightlifting well beyond the show, citing its long-term benefits, and in preparation for her upcoming role in Masters of the Universe.
7. Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham’s shift from treadmill queen to strength-focused regular wasn’t widely expected. Under the guidance of her trainer, she now lifts four to five days a week. Her sessions include barbell work, squats and Olympic-style lifts. For someone once associated with strict minimalism, her commitment to strength training reflects a deeper shift in mindset.
8. Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding’s fitness journey is well documented, with boxing, HIIT and core work forming the bulk of her routine. Although she includes some resistance training and occasionally deadlifts, there’s little proof she follows a heavy lifting protocol. Her approach is more hybrid—but committed all the same.
9. Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham doesn’t shy away from heavy lifting. Her workouts, often posted on social media, include barbell squats, deadlifts, sled pushes and weighted carries. She trains with diverse equipment—ropes, resistance bands, kettlebells—and balances weightlifting with body-weight conditioning. For Graham, strength is about capability, not aesthetics, and her commitment to training underscores that ethos.
These women reflect a growing reality: weightlifting is no longer niche or exclusive to men. For many, it’s become a cornerstone of how they maintain strength, focus and longevity—in the spotlight and beyond.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
