Rose George writes about the plummeting of women’s exercise (Did the pandemic make you lose your rhythm? Tips from an active woman to get back in shape, July 26). The NHS loves us for vigorous running and moderate lawn mowing,, and then also strength training twice a week. Those of us who do all the housework and all the work thinking of career aspirations and then all the childcare would like to know where this time can be recovered from. Often they point us to spinning classes and 2kg dumbbells and tell us “you can run in the morning”.
Here’s another solution: Three times a week, after dealing with the kids and before work, lift a barbell loaded with two 25kg plates (or whatever you can handle) for 30-45 minutes, and then have a shake of proteins. Do the same thing every week, just a little heavier. Ignore the “fitfluencers” who do donkey kicks while jumping with 50kg dumbbells. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You don’t need to be drenched in sweat. You don’t need to spend an hour hating yourself on a treadmill. You don’t even need to get that tired.
I’m sick of hearing how women should focus on cardio and leave the weight room to men. We end up intimidated and unsure of ourselves, attached to the step class when our bones cry out for strong resistance. There is growing evidence that women need resistance and strength training to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. It certainly doesn’t have to be an either/or situation, but if you’re short on time, consider the barbell and lifting slightly heavier weights each week. Your joints, your kids, and your 80-year-old self will thank you.
Dr Bernadine Jones
Stirling
