Midlife Strength Class

What is included in this class?
Exercise is a key driver for change for all lifestyle habits and is a great way to boost your mood and to feel energised.  Each 1 hour class will include the following important fitness elements for our bodies at this stage of life:
1. HIIT - high intensity interval training: it is important to continually challenge our bodies and move out of our comfort zone as we get older and this type of exercise is a great way to safely achieve this.
2. Strength training - exercises with weights and bodyweight - this type of exercise not only helps you feel strong and able for everyday life, it also benefits your brain, helps with weight management, improves your posture, prevents osteoporosis and sarcopenia (age related muscle loss) and reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
3. Mobility and flexibility - dynamic and static stretches to loosen your body in general, to prepare your body for exercise and to stretch out after your workout - your body can become stiff as you age due to many factors including general wear and tear, loss of a consistent movement habit plus the reduction of oestrogen causes loss of moisture and production of collagen and elastin in our facia and connective tissue.

Relevance:
1. This is a general strength class for women aged 40+ who would like to exercise with like-minded women.
2. This class can also serve as an addition to or a continuation from my Midlife Fitness & Lifestyle Course as it focuses on exercise only without covering all the other lifestyle aspects that can help when you are going through the menopause e.g. nutrition, sleep, stress reduction (even though I’m sure we will discuss these lifestyle aspects in class as part of our chat!).

How is this class different to other exercise classes?
It is a specialised exercise class where there is no performance needed. Where you can feel totally at ease to move in a safe and supported environment. You can come as you are and be yourself. This is your time to give your fitness and health the attention you deserve at this stage of life. No prior experience of strength training necessary. All levels of fitness welcome.

This is also a class where you can feel comfortable with talking about the menopause and your symptoms e.g. if you get hot flushes while exercising, have pelvic floor issues that inhibits certain exercises you can do, if you are tired due to sleep disturbance arising from your menopausal symptoms and you need to take more breaks.  

Your instructor: Sarah Thornton, Personal Trainer specialising in Women’s Health and Fitness
I have been a Personal Trainer for 17 years. My main area of interest is supporting women at all stages to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life through exercise, nutrition and lifestyle. In 2021 I completed a 3rd Age Peri- to Post-Menopause Certification from Burrell Education, UK - a global leader in Women’s Wellness Education. I am entering into this stage of life myself and wanted to understand this important, and little known, phase of life and help women to navigate their way through it. I have 2 daughters, run a busy PT business and recently opened a wellness studio so I understand how the pressures of daily life can be overwhelming even without dealing with menopausal symptoms. By taking time out to assess what supports one needs to cope and to have a better life experience is very important. That is why I have put together this specialised fitness and health class.