Most women, when properly trained over 2-3 years, can lift 2-3x what they initially believed possible. The limit during initial training is psychological more than physiological. The body has more capacity than the mind expects.
What this looks like in practice
A woman starting strength training in her 30s who can squat bodyweight by month 12 is not unusual. A woman in her 40s deadlifting 1.5x bodyweight after 2 years of training is common. These numbers shock the women who achieve them; their initial expectation was far below.
Why the expectation gap exists
Cultural messaging about female physical fragility. Lack of exposure to women lifting heavily in formative years. Conservative gym culture for women. Marketing of 'tone' over strength.
Train heavy, progressively, consistently for 18-24 months and re-evaluate. Most women discover capacity they didn't know they had. Strength compounds; the next 5 years matter more than where you start.