When it’s that time of the month, most women find it difficult to get out of bed and perform their daily tasks, let alone exercise. However, working out on your period is actually really good for you. While you shouldn’t be engaging in extremely exhausting exercises, there are certain workouts for regular menstrual cycles that will be beneficial. In fact, here are the benefits of working out on your period:
Benefits of exercising during your period
It can help relieve some of your period symptoms such as:
- pain
- cramps
- bloating
- depression
- mood swings
- fatigue
- nausea
- irritability
Best exercises to do on your period
If you’re wondering how much exercise causes missed periods or whether workouts are harder on your period, then you’re probably just doing the wrong form of exercise. Here are some workouts that you can do on your period:
Cardio

via: istock – Running on your period
Whether you choose to walk, run or go spinning, doing cardio on your period is actually good for you and can help relieve some of your symptoms that come hand in hand with your period.
Yoga and pilates

Via: Healthline – Exercising on Your Period
Yoga and pilates are a low impact form of exercise that will not let you question whether working out on your period is good or bad for you in the first place. Not only that, but they can also help reduce period symptoms such as cramping, breast tenderness, muscle soreness and exhaustion.
Low-impact strength training

Via: Getty Images
During this phase of your menstrual cycle, your body has the ability to increase in strength. While you shouldn’t be over-training or pushing your limits, it is a great time to do low-volume strength training and involve a combination of strength and cardio in your workout.
Stretching

Via: iStock – Exercising on your period
If you feel that workouts are harder to do on your period, then you can still stay active by stretching. Concentrate on lengthening your muscles and stay longer in each stretch to ease the muscles.
Dancing

via: Freepik – Dancing on your period
Moving to the beat does not just make you feel good by endorsing your happy chemicals but can also help fight the stiffness that is accompanied with period pain and cramps. When you dance, your body relieves tension, burns calories and makes you feel good which makes it an excellent exercise to do while you’re on your period.
Swimming

Via: Ubald Rutar – Swimming on period
Contrary to popular belief, swimming is actually an excellent sport to do while you’re on your period. However, it is advisable to keep it towards the end of your cycle when your flow is a lot lower than usual. That’s because the pressure of the water will not let you bleed out. Swimming is a great sport that will help you work out on your period as it relaxes the body, helps you stretch and will ease period symptoms.
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Further reading:
- All You Need to Know About Menstrual Cups
- 10 Tips to Ease Menstrual Pain
- Rahet Bally Fitness: Home Workouts Every Mama Can Do
Sources used in this article:
- Can You Exercise on Your Period? – Healthline
- 7 Best Exercises to Do On Your Period – Shape
- Best Workouts to Do When You Have Your Period – Health
- Exercising During Your Period: Benefits and Things to Avoid – Flo Health
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