Hormones, Periods & Performance: The Truth About Training with Your Cycle
How Your PERIOD/Cycle Affects Your Body & Your Training
If you've ever felt like your body betrays you right before or during your period — you're not alone, and you're definitely not broken. In fact, what's happening is completely normal... and understanding it can totally change the way you train and feel in your body.
Many women — whether they're pregnant, perimenopausal, or still cycling — experience noticeable shifts in strength, coordination, and pelvic support throughout the month. This is largely due to hormonal changes (particularly the rise of relaxin) that affect our muscles, joints, and ligaments.
💡 So what does that actually mean for your workouts?
It means some days, the exercises that felt strong and easy just a few days ago might feel impossible, uncomfortable, or even cause symptoms like:
💧 Leaking
⬇️ Heaviness or dragging in the pelvis
🚨 Lower back pain
❌ General weakness or lack of core support
And no — this doesn’t mean your progress is lost. It just means it’s time to adapt.
🧠 Training smarter, not harder, is the key.
During your period or the days leading up to it, your body might need:
✔️ Lighter weights or resistance
✔️ Slower, more controlled movements
✔️ More focus on breath and deep core connection
✔️ Longer warm-ups or cool-downs
✔️ A mindset shift: you're not going backward, you’re just tuning in
Have you noticed a connection between leaking, back pain, pelvic pain, or lack of core function in the week leading up to your period? It’s time to tune into your body, turn the frustration into understanding, and make this a part of your training routine.
In today’s video, I share exactly how this shows up in real-life training — including my own experience — and how we can still build strength and protect our bodies through every phase of our cycle.
🎥 Watch the full tutorial to understand how to train with your cycle — not against it. Because the more we understand our bodies, the better we can work with them to feel strong, confident, and supported.
If you want more tips and education on how to train smarter and safer, get started today with our $35 Starter Pack – the perfect way to explore how we can support you 👉 https://www.activemum.com.au/starterpack ✨
Or, if you’re not quite sure where to begin, leave us an enquiry. We’ll take the time to learn about you, your body, and what you need so we can guide you in the best possible way. 👉 https://www.activemum.com.au/contact
Take care,
Julie