Last updated on June 13th, 2022 at 04:47 pm
The question of whether those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) should or shouldn’t go to the gym is a common one, and one which we will hopefully answer in this post.
PCOS patients can go to the gym, as long as they take into account the following:
So, as you can see, there are a few things to consider before you get started.
Let's cover each in detail to make sure you're doing it the right way.
The first thing is to assess your current fitness level. If you are unfit and don't have any routine for exercise, then it may be wise to start with walking or cycling before progressing to more intense activities like weight-lifting or jogging.
Research shows that physical activity can influence insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. It is very important to make sure your exercise is suitable for PCOS patients.
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance in your body so make sure that your workouts are not too stressful for your body. Too frequent or exhausting workouts can severely affect your hormonal balance and worsen PCOS symptoms. It is recommended to listen to your body. If you feel tired and exhausted, take a day off and don't force yourself to exercise.
It is best to start working out with a personal trainer for the first few months. This can help you set your fitness goals, get better workout plans, and most importantly help keep you motivated through the tough times.
Besides your exercise, nutrition is also very important for getting the most out of your workouts. You might not notice that your appetite will increase after you start working out. You need to be mindful of the quantity and quality of food you eat before and after training.
It is important to be patient with yourself if you are starting out as it takes time for muscles to become stronger and conditioned after regular exercise as well as for your PCOS symptoms to improve.
Some women with PCOS find it challenging to go to the gym because they are not sure if their workouts are helping them improve their PCOS symptoms.
Provided you have a proper understanding of how to adjust your workout sessions for PCOS, there is no reason why you can't get the most out of your activities in the gym.
Like with everything else, if you put your mind to something and work at it, you can definitely achieve your fitness goals and improve PCOS symptoms so don't give up even if there are times that you feel frustrated or that things are not moving forward.
I'm here to help.