Entering the menopause can be a very challenging time for some women. There are a whole raft of symptoms that can affect you, physically, emotionally and mentally.
As your body changes and adapts to the reduced hormone levels, you can be faced with interruptions in sleep patterns, hot flushes and mood swings. In addition, many women experience weight gain or discover that their body shape changes.
Tackling the menopause
One of the most effective natural approaches to tackling the menopause symptoms is regular exercise. Exercise can help to keep your hormones balanced and regulate your weight, which can help to relieve hot flushes and reduce other menopausal symptoms.
But what exercise should you do? Covering a range of activities is important, including impact and strength and one form of exercise that addresses this is Reformer Pilates. It provides multiple benefits that will help support cardiovascular health, bone density, strength weight management and help improve your mood.
The benefits of Reformer Pilates during the menopause
Reformer Pilates offers many benefits if you are going through perimenopause and menopause as it addresses many of the challenges you may face:
1 Bone Health: Part of the menopause is the decrease in estrogen levels in your body which can lead to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Reformer Pilates can help improve your bone health with weight-bearing and resistance exercises which can help stimulate bone growth and strengthen bones.
2 Muscle Strength and Tone: When you go through the menopause you can experience muscle loss and a decrease in muscle tone. Reformer Pilates covers a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups, helping to build and maintain muscle strength and tone in a controlled way. This contributes to better overall physical function and can support your joint health.
3 Flexibility and Mobility: Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to joint stiffness and reduced flexibility. With Reformer Pilates you can emphasise controlled and flowing movements that enhance joint mobility and increase overall flexibility which can help to alleviate any discomfort you may feel and improve range of motion.
4 Core Strength: Reformer Pilates places a strong emphasis on core engagement and stability. Strengthening your core muscles can improve your posture, support your spine, and reduce the risk of back pain, which is common during menopause.
5 Stress Relief and Mood Enhancement: During the menopause you can be affected by changes in mood, including increased stress, anxiety, and mood swings. Engaging in regular exercise like Reformer Pilates can release endorphins throughout your body, which are natural mood enhancers. The mind-body connection emphasised in Pilates can also contribute to stress reduction and improved mental well-being.
6 Weight Management: Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area. Reformer Pilates can help with weight management by increasing calorie expenditure, building lean muscle mass, and promoting a healthy metabolism.
7 Pelvic Floor Health: The menopause can lead to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which may result in issues like urinary incontinence. Reformer Pilates exercises can engage and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, potentially helping to address or prevent these symptoms.
8 Social Interaction and Community: One very important aspect of Reformer Pilates classes is that it is a social event and joining a class can give you a sense of community. During the menopause you can sometimes feel a sense of isolation, so joining in with group exercise sessions with likeminded people can give you emotional support and a positive social environment.
Reformer Pilates with Bora
At Bora Studio we provide both group and 1 to 1 classes in Reformer Pilates. Our focus is on your health and well being and is led by experienced instructors that can make sure you get the maximum benefit from your class in a safe way and achieve your health goals.
Book your class today here.
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