Build Strength & Confidence: Q&A with Katie Vinten

Continuing our exclusive Q&A series with Northern Ambassadors, we speak with Katie Vinten, to find her most effective gym equipment and strategies for building strength and confidence specially for women in ages 45 and over. As a certified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Katie shares her ideas, go-to home gym equipment, and practical approach in strength training specially for women who want to start home training.

Katie specialises in helping midlife women transform their bodies and confidence through a combination of personalised nutrition, strength training, and lifestyle habits. Working with women aged 45 and over, her approach focuses on simplicity, consistency, and long-term progress.

What pieces of gym equipment do you use most in your training and why?

Katie: Most of my clients are women aged 45 and over, many of whom are new to strength training. My philosophy is that training should be efficient, effective, and simple to follow. That’s why dumbbells are my most-used tool — they’re versatile, accessible, and easy to integrate into any routine, yet incredibly effective for building strength and getting a great workout.

Dumbbells allow us to work through natural movement patterns, improve coordination, and build strength without the need for complex routines. It’s very effective for upper body, lower body, or full-body sessions. For women in their 40s, this is especially important. At this stage, training needs to support joint health, maintain muscle mass, and fit into a busy lifestyle. Dumbbells make it easy to train efficiently without overcomplicating things.

What’s one piece of equipment you think people underestimate?

Katie: A simple step box or plyometric boxes. I use it all the time for hip thrusts, step-ups, and stability work - exercises that are fantastic for building strong glutes and improving lower-body strength.

What I love about it is how adaptable it is. You can adjust intensity easily, use it for both strength and balance work. It’s also perfect for small spaces at home, making it easy to stay consistent with the training. Workouts are simple with a plyo box.

What’s the biggest misconception you see around women and strength training?

Katie: The biggest misconception is that lifting weights will make women bulky. If I had a penny for every time I heard that, I’d be rich. In reality, strength training helps women build lean muscle, boost metabolism, and fundamentally change their bodies, not just physically, but in how strong, confident, and capable they feel.

What actually happens is that women become more toned, more defined, and more resilient in their everyday lives once they start training. Strength training also supports women’s bone health, especially for those in their 40s, while also improving energy levels and posture. You don't get big, but you feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of your body.

Found the gear that’s going to help you earn your next personal records? Here’s some top-tier insight from our ambassadors on the fitness equipment that actually delivers:

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