21 May 2020

What Is The Fitness Menopause? - #173

0Frameworks

9Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster59:30

Men Train Wrong Muscles for Attractiveness

Men typically focus on biceps, abs, and shoulders, but research shows women are more attracted to glutes, back, and legs. This mismatch suggests many train for peer validation, not actual desirability.

Men prioritize biceps, abs, and triceps in training.
Women, on average, prefer glutes, back, and legs in men.
This indicates men train for male validation, not female attraction.
Social media reinforces the wrong priorities.

“We are optimizing for the wrong thing if you're training to look better for the opposite sex.”
Guest · 60:00

#attractiveness#bodybuilding-misconceptions#fitness-psychology

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take60:00

The Barbell Row Is the Ultimate Self-Improvement Lift

The barbell row is praised as a true measure of self-improvement because it's not done for looks or social media. It's a hidden lift — no one brags about it, but it builds real strength and patience.

The barbell row is not visible in the mirror, so it's not trained for aesthetics.
It requires patience and consistency, not ego.
Few people brag about it, making it a pure pursuit of progress.
It signals genuine dedication to self-improvement.

“You meet someone with a huge barbell row — that person very patient. Wasn't an accident.”
Guest · 60:30

#barbell-row#strength-training#self-improvement#fitness-philosophy

Explainer· 4

Explainer01:30

What Is the Fitness Menopause?

The 'fitness menopause' describes a phase many people hit in their late twenties, where the initial excitement of bodybuilding-style training fades. After years focused on aesthetics, they become bored, unmotivated, and aware of their mortality, leading to a search for more fulfilling forms of exercise.

It typically affects people who started training in their teens or early 20s with bodybuilding focus.
Signs include boredom with 'chest and arms' routines and lack of motivation to train.
It often coincides with a realization that training hasn't improved overall health or fitness.
The term applies to those who trained purely for looks, not performance.

“The fitness menopause describes a period in a lot of fitness people's lives who perhaps have just entered into the world of training by doing…”
Host · 02:00

#fitness-menopause#bodybuilding#motivation#training-burnout

Explainer05:30

Why Bodybuilding Has Low Barriers to Entry

Bodybuilding is accessible because it requires minimal skill and mechanical proficiency. Unlike complex movements like the Olympic lifts, almost anyone can start curling or pressing weights immediately and see social rewards, making it the 'path of least resistance' for beginners.

You can teach someone a bicep curl in minutes, even with no experience.
There's immediate external validation from lifting heavy weights.
No one checks your form strictly, so you can set your own rules.
This ease of entry explains its popularity over more technical sports.

“The barriers to entry to doing bodybuilding is so so low and people don't like doing stuff that they suck at.”
Guest · 06:00

#bodybuilding#training-entry#skill-barriers#fitness-psychology

Explainer25:00

Why CrossFit Can Reignite Motivation

Switching to CrossFit or similar varied training can increase compliance and progress because of novelty and objective performance metrics. Unlike subjective bodybuilding goals, measurable workouts provide clear evidence of improvement, making training more engaging.

Novelty effect increases motivation and consistency.
Objective measures (e.g., time, reps) make progress undeniable.
Contrasts with bodybuilding, where progress is subjective and anxiety-inducing.
Variety prevents boredom and integrates fitness into life, not just identity.

“If you lift 100 kilos 10 times last week and 11 times this week, you have made progress — definitively.”
Guest · 55:00

#crossfit#training-compliance#progressive-overload#fitness-motivation

Explainer64:00

Grip Strength Is a Key to Longevity

Grip strength is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality. Improving it through basic strength training not only makes you stronger but significantly reduces health risks and improves overall lifespan.

Grip strength correlates with lower all-cause mortality.
It reflects overall muscle mass and metabolic health.
Simple strength training can dramatically improve it.
It's a no-brainer for long-term health.

“One of the biggest factors in all-cause mortality is grip strength.”
Guest · 64:30

#grip-strength#longevity#strength-training#health-benefits

Story· 1

Story34:30

How Injury Led to a Training Pivot

One guest shares how a torn adductor during a heavy squat, combined with ongoing disc issues, forced a reevaluation of training. The pain and loss of function made him realize he'd ignored warning signs for years, prompting a shift away from pure strength training.

Tore adductor at bottom of a heavy squat after years of aggressive training.
Had prior disc issues that led to temporary loss of leg function.
Realized he'd been training through pain due to online 'train through it' culture.
This injury was a turning point toward more sustainable fitness.

“I ripped my adductor in the bottom of a squat and when that happened I was like 'f**k me man' — all this work.”
Guest · 35:00

#training-injuries#recovery#training-pivot#pain-management

Q&A· 1

Q&A12:00

Do You Like Bodybuilding or Just the Idea of It?

The guest challenges listeners to reflect: do they genuinely enjoy bodybuilding training, or are they just chasing the outcome? Most people don't enjoy the training itself but are motivated by social media validation or aesthetic goals.

Many train not because they enjoy it, but because of how it makes them look.
Social media rewards reinforce training habits even when they're not enjoyable.
People often chase milestones like abs or a big deadlift, then lose interest.
Enjoyment is often tied to outcome, not the process.

“Do you like bodybuilding or do you like exercising? Because those are not the same thing.”
Guest · 12:20

#training-motivation#bodybuilding-psychology#exercise-enjoyment

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway53:00

Fitness Menopause Reflects Broader Life Changes

The fitness menopause often coincides with broader personal growth — reevaluating alcohol use, sleep, relationships, and self-development. It's not just about exercise, but a shift from external validation to internal fulfillment.

Training becomes integrated into life, not the center of identity.
People start valuing health, function, and enjoyment over aesthetics.
It aligns with maturity and broader self-improvement goals.
The shift often includes better sleep, nutrition, and mental health.

“It's part of a broader menopause — you start questioning alcohol, sleep, reading, podcasting. Fitness becomes integrated, not your life.”
Guest · 53:30

#fitness-mindset#personal-growth#maturity#lifestyle-change