Strength Training During Perimenopause: Why I’m Choosing Wall Pilates Right Now

It's no secret that my strength training routine has suffered a lot. Being a girl who was used to working out five to six days a week, struggling to manage even two to three days is hard. Most days, I'm just tired, and simply lack the energy or motivation to get it done. Perimenopause has me in a chokehold right now in this area of my life. Strength training during perimenopause looks very different for me at the moment, and wall Pilates has become my go-to routine for rebuilding strength in a way that supports both my body and my mental health.

I haven't given up on strength training, but I have decided to try a different style for the moment, and wall Pilates is it. Pilates isn't new to me, so when I decided to take it up again, I was a little excited. I knew I needed to get back into some sort of groove especially after the back injury I suffered in September. Heavy weight training was out of the question for a while, but after three months of healing, I know I need a solid plan as I move forward.

The thought of picking up weights has been daunting, but I knew I had to do something. My core could use some strengthening, and my mind needs something gentle too. Walking has been good for my mental health (and even that's hard some days) and I needed a form of movement that was just as gentle on my body. Wall Pilates allows me to workout at home, which I prefer, and it requires minimal equipment which I already own.

When I came across a 14 day wall Pilates challenge, I decided to give it a try. I knew Pilates could be good for my core and many other areas of my body. It was definitely a challenge, but from the moment started, I noticed my mind was also at ease. Pairing Pilates with walking has been a really good combination for me right now. It has made strength training during perimenopause a little less daunting for me. Perimenopause has demanded that I listen to my body and honor what it needs, and right now this form of exercise feels necessary. I'm still accomplishing something even though it looks different at the moment.

Now, I'm thinking ahead about what my strength training routine might look like in the near future. I will complete a 28 day challenge next, and then consider my next steps. Ultimately, I would like to keep Pilates in my routine while incorporating weight training throughout the week. I'm not sure what that final picture is at the moment, but I'll work on it while I continue to work on my key wellness goals this year.

What does your strength training routine look like these days?