Social media is flooded with intense fitness challenges like #75Hard, which promise to transform your body. While these challenges might work for some, they can be unsuitable—even harmful—for menopausal women. The extreme discipline, high-intensity workouts, and restrictive guidelines often fail to consider the hormonal, metabolic, and joint health changes that come with menopause.
Rather than pushing through rigid programmes (and exercising far too often – for this particularly one they recommend 2 x 45 minute workouts every day – who has the time for that!) that may lead to burnout or injury, menopausal women benefit most from a balanced, sustainable approach—one that includes strength training, mobility work, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercise while prioritising recovery and overall well-being.
The Risks of Extreme Fitness Challenges for Menopausal Women
Many social media fitness trends focus on "no excuses" mentalities, but this can be counterproductive for women navigating menopause. Here’s why:
🚨 Increased Cortisol & Stress: Menopause already impacts cortisol levels. High-intensity challenges can elevate stress hormones further, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and poor sleep.
🚨 Risk of Injury & Joint Pain: Many menopause-related issues, such as decreased bone density and joint stiffness, require a smarter, low-impact training approach—not relentless, high-impact exercise that strains the body.
🚨 Lack of Recovery & Adaptation: Recovery is just as crucial as training. Extreme challenges often ignore rest days, which can lead to overtraining, burnout, and hormone imbalances.
🚨 All-or-Nothing Mindset: If you miss a workout, break a diet rule, or take a rest day, many of these challenges frame it as “failure.” This mindset can be damaging, especially during menopause when flexibility and self-compassion are key.
What Does Work? A Holistic, Menopause-Friendly Approach
Menopause is a time to focus on strength, balance, and longevity, rather than extreme, unsustainable goals. The best approach includes:
💪 Strength Training – Helps maintain muscle mass, supports bone health, and boosts metabolism.
🧘 Mobility & Flexibility – Prevents stiffness, enhances movement, and reduces the risk of injury.
❤️ Cardio in Moderation – Walking, swimming, or cycling improves heart health without excessive strain.
😌 Holistic Wellness – Prioritising nutrition, stress management, sleep, and mindset for overall balance.
The Menopause Wellness Centre’s 6-Week Reset & Online Coaching
Instead of following extreme fads, our 6-Week Menopause Reset provides a sustainable, personalised plan that meets your body's needs. With expert-led online coaching, you’ll get:
✅ Guided strength & mobility workouts tailored for menopause
✅ Nutrition & lifestyle coaching for hormonal balance
✅ Mindfulness & recovery techniques to manage stress
✅ A supportive community to keep you accountable
Ditch the harmful fitness extremes and embrace a program that helps you feel strong, balanced, and empowered through menopause. Join our 6-Week Reset today and set yourself up for long-term success! 💪✨
Comments