ladies.. does your period affect your strength when weight training?
diyadiamonds
Posts: 74 Member
So, I got my period at 1am in the morning, after 2 hours of agonizing pain I finally got to sleep but got up at 5 to get to the gym for 6am. I noticed I felt really tired and sore, when doing sumo deadlifts I had no drive in my legs to lift weight I know I have easily lifted before, my back also kept jerking 
all other exercises I did I felt I didn't have any power to push more weight.. Do any of you ladies get this?
all other exercises I did I felt I didn't have any power to push more weight.. Do any of you ladies get this? 0
Replies
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If you are in pain and could not sleep because of it, of course you will not have strength to exercise. If this happens again, to not be able to sleep because of pain, give yourself a rest day.0
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I would say that the fact it impacts your sleep is why you were too tired, but if you have a really heavy period you could be suffering from reduced iron levels, which would also make you feel tired. This is something I have suffered with, but it's nothing the doctor didn't sort with iron tablets.
Personally, now I have that issue sorted, the fact I'm grumpy for those few days gives me more anger to vent and I'm sure this makes my workouts better!0 -
I am always horribly weak the first couple days of my cycle. I still lift, but I don't increase weights that week. Sometimes I need to take a small deload.0
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Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.0 -
Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.0 -
Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.
Here's are two articles that go over this:
* http://www.optimumh.co.uk/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-strength-training-and-timing/
* https://www.t-nation.com/training/hormone-cycle-and-female-lifters0 -
I 'm also weakest right after ovulation but once my period starts I am in beast mode. I'ver heard that most women are weakest the first couple of days of their period. However I agree that your situating was probably due to not getting enough quality rest.0
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I haven't really noticed a difference quiet frankly.0
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Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.[/quote]
Here's are two articles that go over this:
* http://www.optimumh.co.uk/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-strength-training-and-timing/
* https://www.t-nation.com/training/hormone-cycle-and-female-lifters [/quote]
Thanks a bunch!!0 -
I'm usually stronger. Go figure.0
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Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.
Here's are two articles that go over this:
* http://www.optimumh.co.uk/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-strength-training-and-timing/
* https://www.t-nation.com/training/hormone-cycle-and-female-lifters
The t-nation article was very interesting and this linked one is hilarious: 10 Mistakes Women Make in the Gym0 -
I don't notice a difference.0
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No, but I also don't experience debilitating pain that keeps me from sleeping. You might be exhausted because of that.0
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I don't have pain or trouble sleeping but I definitely struggle the day before my period starts and the first day. After that I'm back to normal.0
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I would say the lack of sleep probably had far more to do with it.
As for me, I notice little to no difference in my strength. What I do notice is that my pain tolerance is higher. I'm a fraction more aggressive. Which adds up to it now being my preferred time to compete, barring the extra fun of making weight while bloated. I'm just more willing to dig in and grind out reps.0 -
I think it might affect other things that would affect my gym performance, like your lack of sleep because of the pain, but I never noticed a direct correlation. If anything, I just adjust my gym days during that week because as I've gotten older, my periods suck more. Day 1 is awful.0
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My strength is always affected, every month. I can't lift even close to what I normally can, especially on lifts like squats.0
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Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.
Here's are two articles that go over this:
* http://www.optimumh.co.uk/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-strength-training-and-timing/
* https://www.t-nation.com/training/hormone-cycle-and-female-lifters
Awesome link!0 -
I often feel that way due to cramping or not enough sleep but it passes after the first day or two. Some reading I did stated that women are actually more powerful from day1-14 of their cycle and should go somewhat easier on days 15-28. All in relation to testosterone/estrogen availability in the body. If I find the article I will post.
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And now that my slow internet has allowed me to read all comments I see that the info I stated is common.0
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Thanks ladies! I think it may of been down to the lack of sleep as I got plenty last night on my way to the gym now and feeling very full of energy!!0
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kshama2001 wrote: »Check t-nation; I read an article about ladies' cycles/hormones and lifting. I find that if I don't feel so great when I get to the gym, usually once I start working out I feel better (takes a bit of time).
If you are in agonizing pain to the point you can't sleep; you should probably see a gyn.
I have that article linked in my profile.
It happens to me a couple times a year. Mostly I get the dip in strength right after ovulation. Leading up to it, I'm stronger than ever after and then there's a decrease as soon as I ovulate. It's not always enough to be problematic but when it happens it comes out of the blue and is a bit maddening because I'll suddenly struggle to lift something that was manageable just two days before.
Here's are two articles that go over this:
* http://www.optimumh.co.uk/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-strength-training-and-timing/
* https://www.t-nation.com/training/hormone-cycle-and-female-lifters
The t-nation article was very interesting and this linked one is hilarious: 10 Mistakes Women Make in the Gym
Girl that article had me In stitches ! Hahaha0 -
For most of my life my period was no big deal, but now that I have a big fibroid, which causes excessive bleeding, I am debilitated by my periods. Today is Day 3 and I did get a good night's sleep, but am tired from the blood loss of the previous days. I was slightly less strong in the gym today. On the plus side, the exercise high kicked in during only my second set, as opposed to the last set when it usually kicks in.0
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I have endometriosis so my periods are pretty debilitating. I usually just take that week as a rest week and don't do weights until it's over. I will do some cardio or body weight stuff if I'm up for it because it does help but I usually have one day that's me and my couch doing some serious bonding.0
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