Dancer, choreographer, and fitness enthusiast Tileh Pacbro has sparked online discussions after encouraging women to embrace heavier weightlifting and stop worrying about developing a masculine physique. Through his Instagram Stories, Tileh addressed a common misconception that lifting heavy weights will make women “look like men.”
Breaking the Myths Around Women and Strength Training
Tileh compared the fear of heavy lifting to flawed logic, writing, “‘I want a toned body but I don’t want to look like a man’ is like saying, ‘I want to be a millionaire and not a billionaire so I won’t work hard.’” He emphasized that avoiding heavier weights often limits progress and prevents meaningful strength gains.
He explained the biological differences between men and women, particularly in terms of hormones. “The level of testosterone in men can get up to 20 times that of a woman. So you might have to lift 20 times my weight or swim into steroids just to have a chance of getting this shoulder boulder,” Tileh noted. This reassurance highlighted that women do not risk developing bulky muscles through standard strength training.
Challenging the Light Dumbbell Mindset
Tileh criticized the trend of women sticking to light dumbbells, which he views as insufficient for serious results. “So let’s just stop that rubbish and leave those dumbbells for seniors if you want to have serious change,” he stated, encouraging women to lift heavier and focus on real strength development.
About Tileh Pacbro
Born David Otieno in Nairobi, Tileh Pacbro grew up in Makadara and Kibera. He rose to fame as one half of the dance duo Pacbros and later founded Dance 98, one of Kenya’s leading dance academies. Beyond dance, his disciplined lifestyle and well-built physique have positioned him as a respected voice in fitness and wellness.
Tileh shared his daily routine, emphasizing a structured cycle: “Workout, Eat, Take care of oneself, Hustle, Take care of those who care about me, Sleep — and repeat.” His regimen reflects his philosophy of discipline, focus, and personal boundaries, which he attributes to both physical and mental success.
Empowering Women to Lift Stronger
Through his recent message, Tileh Pacbro encourages women to shed fear, embrace heavy weightlifting, and prioritize strength over appearance myths. His advice underscores the importance of proper training, self-discipline, and challenging limits to achieve real fitness results.
