We’ve all been there: the days where your body is made of lead, your head has a heavy mental band clanging inside and your stomach cramps are trying to kill you. The last thing you want to do is pull on your lycra and hit the gym. During these hours of period hell, the sofa, a hot water bottle and a large pack of biscuits are much more appealing, thank you very much. Yet, gyms are trying to drag us back in, kicking and screaming at any stage of our cycle.
The “Bloody Good Workout” strength class at London-wide fitness club Gymbox offers three training stations designed to be adapted to different intensities depending on an attendee’s menstrual phase. “Luteal, follicular or somewhere in between, this class teaches you to lift in sync with your body, not in spite of it,” claims Gymbox. “Because strength is not about ignoring your cycle. It’s about working with it.”
