Why Women Over 50 Struggle with Exercise (And What Actually Works) - Ep 015

🎙️ Episode 15: If you're a woman over 40 who's been putting off strength training or struggling to stick with exercise, this episode is one that you won't want to miss.

I'm joined by Michelle Lyons, a physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience specialising in women's health, who reveals why conventional fitness advice fails women during perimenopause and menopause - and what actually works instead.

🔹 How perimenopause and menopause create real barriers to exercise (fatigue, joint pain, pelvic health issues) affecting 1 in 2 women over 50

🔹 Surprising research: women lifting over 50kg reported FEWER pelvic health symptoms than those lifting under 15kg

🔹 Why strength training reduced hot flashes by 44% in just 12 weeks (and results were still improving)
🔹 Why women start losing muscle mass in their mid-30s (10+ years earlier than men) and what this means for your strength training approach

🔹 The truth about "bulking up" - why it's virtually impossible for menopausal women (and why that's actually a challenge, not a benefit)

🔹 Practical solutions for common barriers: from bladder leakage to joint pain to crushing fatigue

🔹 How just 12 minutes of interval training 3x per week plus 2 strength sessions can transform your energy and confidence
🔹 The shocking statistic: only 6% of sports science research is done exclusively on women - and why this matters for your results

Key Quote: "As long as you're above ground and you're still drawing breath, it's not too late. You can make some really good changes in a fairly short period of time."

Michelle's manifesto is powerful: "Women deserve better healthcare. Feeling comfort, safety, and joy in our bodies is not only attainable, but our birthright."

This isn't another generic fitness conversation - it's about understanding your body as a woman and working WITH your physiology, not against it.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelyons_muliebrity/
Website: https://celebratemuliebrity.com/

- The role of estrogen and progesterone in exercise capacity 
- Why tracking your menstrual cycle is crucial (even in perimenopause)  
- Specific adaptations needed for women's strength training 
- The connection between sleep, stress, and exercise motivation

Perfect for women who feel like they're "not gym people" but want to feel strong, confident, and independent as they age.

Episode Length: 70 minutes
Guest: Michelle Lyons, Women's Health Physiotherapist
Host: Chris Tiley, Physiotherapist & Creator of Stronger for Life

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a woman in your life who might benefit from this information. Your support helps us reach more people who need to hear this message.

For the full show notes page, go to:
https://nevertoooldtolift.com/podcast015/

🔗 Free Strength Training Masterclass: nevertoooldtolift.com/masterclass
📘 Free Never Too Old to Lift eBook - https://nevertoooldtolift.com/ebook
📖 Paperback version of Never Too Old to Lift from Amazon - https://geni.us/ntotlbook
🏋️‍♀️ See me for an in-person physiotherapy appointment
https://christileyphysiotherapy.com/

📧 Got a question for a future Q&A? Drop it in the comments or email me at: [email protected]
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