Myths About Women & Strength Training w/ Claire Zai, MS

Yoga Meets Movement Science

Dec 27 2022 • 1 hr 33 mins

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

Jenni’s email newsletter

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.

Support the Show.


**Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast – starting at $3/month!

You Might Like

8 Hour Sleep Music
8 Hour Sleep Music
8 Hour Sleep Music
Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab
Scicomm Media
Relaxing White Noise
Relaxing White Noise
Relaxing White Noise, LLC
White Noise and Sleep Sounds (12 Hours)
White Noise and Sleep Sounds (12 Hours)
White Noise and Sleep Sounds (12 Hours) to Sleep | Study | Relax | Soothe a Baby
Meditation Sounds
Meditation Sounds
Meditation Sounds
Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove
Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove
Sleep Hypnosis, Meditations and Bedtime Stories
Sleep With Me
Sleep With Me
Silver Sleeper Productions LLC
Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge
Sex With Emily
Sex With Emily
Dr. Emily Morse