Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen are joined by the knowledgeable and inspiring Claire Zai, a strength coach with Barbell Medicine and a competitive powerlifter with her bachelor’s degree in physiology & neuroscience and her master’s degree in physiology with a focus on biomechanics.

They discuss myths and evidence-based information about women & strength training, including these topics:

• How societal gender stereotypes influence how we view women’s and men’s bodies
• Strength training around the menstrual cycle – is this something women should think about?
• What role do hormones like estrogen and progesterone play in our ability to generate force and strength train?
• Strength training and menopause
• Does our metabolic rate (i.e. our metabolism) decrease when we reach menopause?
• Strength training and osteoporosis
• Are claims that yoga can improve bone density evidence-based?
• Strength training and pregnancy
• Does strength training make women “bulky”?
• …And much more!

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Follow and learn from Claire Zai, MS: Instagram / website / email

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni

Strength for Yoga email newsletter

Research article: The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Research article: Variations in Strength-Related Measures During the Menstrual Cycle in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Research article: The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review

Research article: The effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on acute responses and chronic adaptations to resistance training: a systematic review of the literature

To find out more about Travis Pollen: website / Instagram

Music used with generous permission from Dischord A Cappella.

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