01/04/2026
Less than 1 in 5 are doing any form of strength training.
Over 65? It drops to nearly 1 in 10.
Let that land.
Because at the same timeā¦
We have more evidence than ever showing that resistance training:
ā Builds muscle
ā Protects bone
ā Sharpens your brain
ā Improves strength, power, and function
ā Extends your independence
And, hereās the part no one tells you:
- You donāt need to train like an athlete.
- You donāt need to lift āheavy heavy.ā
- You donāt need perfect programs.
You need:
- Consistency.
- Progression.
- A little bit of challenge.
Thatās it.
So why arenāt women doing it?
Itās not a knowledge problem.
Itās a messaging problem.
Women have been told:
- āPilates is your lane.ā
- āWeights will make you bulky.ā
- āMuscle loss after menopause is inevitable.ā
None of that is true.
Muscle loss isnāt your destiny.
Not using your muscle is.
When you start strength training consistently?
That āmenopause muscle lossā story mostly disappears.
And hormone therapy?
Changes lean mass by ~60 grams.
Thatās not your solution.
Hereās the truth:
The most powerful thing you can do for your body in midlife?
Pick something up.
Put it down.
Repeat.
Once or twice a week to start.
No perfection.
No extremes.
No waiting until you āfeel ready.ā
Youāre not training for your 20s.
Youāre training for:
ā Your strength
ā Your independence
ā Your future self
Because muscle isnāt about aesthetics.
Itās your insurance policy for life.
Right now, most women are doing nothing.
Letās change that.
You donāt need to be perfect.
You just need to start.
Sources:
Currier BS et al. (2026). ACSM Position Stand. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 137 systematic reviews, >30,000 participants.
Menzies FM et al. (2026). Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.70232
Phillips SM. (2026). Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.70248
Javed AA et al. Menopausal Hormone Therapy meta-analysis. 12 RCTs, 4,474 women.
CDC / National Health Interview Survey (2020). Muscle-strengthening activity participation data.