The best time to start strength training isn’t once you’re already deep into perimenopause or menopause—it’s before these changes fully take hold. Preparing your body for the hormonal shifts ahead gives you a head start, helping you maintain muscle mass, bone density, and functional strength before they start to decline.
By training now, you ensure your body is in its best shape to handle the shifts of perimenopause and menopause. Waiting until after the changes occur means playing catch-up, and it can be more challenging to regain lost muscle mass and strength. Think of it as “training for your next step”: Strength training before these major life changes ensures you’re ready for what’s ahead, physically and mentally. Rather than reacting to the changes, you’re proactively preparing your body to navigate them with resilience and strength.
During perimenopause and menopause, strength training offers a wide array of benefits that directly combat some of the most common symptoms of this life stage:
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Preserve Muscle Mass: As estrogen levels decrease, maintaining muscle mass becomes harder. Strength training helps combat muscle loss by keeping your body strong.
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Supports Bone Health: Estrogen plays a critical role in maintaining bone density, and its decline increases the risk of osteoporosis. Strength training places controlled stress on the bones, encouraging them to rebuild and strengthen while reducing the risk of fractures.
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Boosts Mood and Mental Health: Strength training boosts mood by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Regular exercise helps balance emotions and provides a sense of empowerment and control over one’s body.
