In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we spoke about the importance of strength training for female horse riders and also how our cycle affects that, But what about when the cycle "ends"?

As women navigate through the transformative phase of post-menopause, maintaining overall health and well-being becomes increasingly crucial. For female horse riders, this period presents unique challenges and opportunities. Engaging in strength training can be a game-changer, offering a plethora of benefits that extend beyond physical fitness.

Women's bodies are incredibly complex, with monthly hormonal fluctuations that can affect various aspects of our lives, including physical fitness and training. The female cycle, commonly referred to as the menstrual cycle, is an intricate interplay of hormones that can impact energy levels, mood, and physical performance. I want to explore how the female cycle can affect your training and provide valuable insights to help women optimize their workouts throughout the month and also understand how we can work with it instead of beating ourselves up for not performing the way that we think we should.

Strength training has long been associated with athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to build muscle and improve their physical performance. It has also been a bit of a bone of contention for women. The gym and training it is almost synonymous with "weight loss" and anyone (mostly women) who has taken on an extreme transformation plan, crash diet or Boot-Camp style training, probably doesn't have the best relationship with the gym.