WOMEN are proving weightlifting isn’t just for men as a Darlington gym plans to celebrate an upsurge in females taking up the sport.

Muscle City in Faverdale has been working to change the perception of weightlifting as a predominantly male pastime and its success in recruiting women bodybuilders has led to the organisation of a Darlington strongwoman competition.

Kieran Meredith, who owns Muscle City with his wife Katie, said it was “very rewarding” to have introduced so many females to weightlifting, adding that the women now flexing their muscles at the gym range in ages from 16 to 62.

He said: “About five-years-ago you would not have had women doing that sort of training, it didn’t happen, but we’ve tried really hard to encourage more women to get involved.

“I think that in the past they were put off by the perception that weightlifting makes you bulk up, but that perception is false, it’s actually a great way to lose weight and tone up.

“And maybe women were a bit intimidated by weightlifting in the past but we have created a really friendly atmosphere at the gym because we love it when new people want to come and have a try.”

The strongwoman contest will take place at Muscle City on April 30 from 10am and competitors’ entry fees will be donated to The Butterwick Hospice in Stockton.