What does it really mean to be strong? New research from Optimum Nutrition reveals that women are embracing a broader definition of strength — one that goes beyond physical power to include mental resilience, adaptability, confidence and everyday capability.
STRONG: The Female Strength Report, commissioned by Optimum Nutrition and co-authored by Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, a leading expert in female physiology and endocrinology, surveyed 2,000 women across Britain to explore how women define and experience strength today.
The findings reveal a clear shift in priorities. While 45% of women associate strength with physical power, 47% say mental strength is the greatest contributor to their overall sense of strength. Almost six in ten (59%) value mental strength more than physical appearance or athletic performance.
The report identifies five interconnected dimensions of strength: physical, mental, functional, adaptive and social. Importantly, everyday life is emerging as a more meaningful measure of strength than traditional measures of physical performance. Nearly six in ten women (59%) say being able to move through daily life comfortably and confidently is more meaningful than lifting maximum weight, which just 9% identify as a key measure of strength.
Strength is also personal and constantly evolving. 79% of women say their definition of strength changes across different stages of life, highlighting the need for more flexible and individual approaches to women's health, fitness and nutrition.
Yet there remains a confidence gap between understanding strength and taking action. While 86% recognise that hormonal fluctuations can influence physical and mental strength, only 10% regularly adapt their training or nutrition in response. Practical barriers such as lack of time, energy and knowing where to start also remain significant.
The research points to an opportunity to create a more inclusive conversation around female strength — one that better reflects women's real lives and supports them to build the forms of strength that matter most.
Download the report here