Myths About Women & Strength Training w/ Claire Zai, MS
About this episode
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
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.
**Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast – starting at $3/month!
Get every episode summarized
Each time Yoga Meets Movement Science publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Yoga Meets Movement Science
Yoga and Artificial Intelligence w/ Jules Mitchell, MS
Yoga Meets Movement Science
Wellness Myths in the Yoga World
Yoga Meets Movement Science
The Top 7 Most Misused Movement Terms
Yoga Meets Movement Science
What Yogis Should Know About Cardio
Yoga Meets Movement Science