Benefits of Exercise during the Menopause

Monday, 5th August 2019

The menopause is an important transition in any woman’s life and exercise is a great way to take care of yourself during this time - it helps make this stage in life that bit easier.

As you know there are lots of perks to working out regularly, but did you know exercising throughout menopause comes with lots of benefits too. Studies have shown that women who don’t exercise while going through ‘the change’ can often experience worse symptoms – such as hot flushes and depression – compared to those who’re more active.

In this blog, we’re looking at how exercise can help make those transitional years a little easier…

Preventing weight gain

You may have heard that it’s common to lose muscle mass and gain abdominal fat during the menopause. However, regular exercise, whether in the gym, fitness classes or swimming, can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Strength training

While the idea of weight lifting may sound intimidating, maintaining muscle strength is key. Not only does it help you stay in shape, but exercise can slow down bone loss, lowering your risk of fractures. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to hitting the gym, speak to an instructor or book a PT session – they’ll be able to create a routine that works for you.

Fitness classes

Fitness classes are a fun way to exercise and meet new, like-minded people. Yoga especially is known to offer several health benefits, including increased fitness and improved balance; which studies have shown can be particularly beneficial to menopausal women. Yoga also helps to improve your sleep, mood and pain symptoms and can even decrease the number of hot flushes.

Walking

If you prefer something a little calmer, regular walks are a great way to add a little exercise to your week. A stroll in the great outdoors is the perfect way to unwind and clear your mind, while picking up the pace for a brisk walk is a good way to manage your weight.

Dancing

If a structured gym routine isn’t for you, why not give dancing a try. It’s exercise without feeling like exercise! As well as helping you burn calories, dance can also improve your coordination and postural strength. Plus, research has proved that dance classes can help with a major side effect of the menopause – low moods. Dance – such as Zumba – can boost your happiness levels with long-lasting effects.

Not sure which to try first? Let us help! Sign up for a 7 day free pass here to try our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes. 

Plus, our membership comes with a free personal training session each month, so you’ll have our experienced team on-side to guide you all the way.