One of my listeners recently asked whether men and women should strength train differently — and in this episode, I’m breaking down what you really need to know.

We’re diving into what actually matters when it comes to building strength in midlife, and whether your workouts should look different from your son’s, your partner’s, or your younger self’s.

You’ll hear:

• What actually makes a program effective — regardless of gender
• Why programming can look different from person to person
• What to watch out for when training with men or younger family members
• Why a program designed for women in midlife might be worth considering — even if the exercises aren’t different

This episode is a reminder that strength training doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME (dumbbells-only) >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

Should you bulk to build muscle? And then go into a cut to get toned?

These phrases are everywhere online — but are they actually helpful for women in midlife?

In episode 123 of 40+ Fitness for Women, I explain what bulking and cutting are and explain why these bodybuilding tactics don't make sense for most women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

I also touch on something that’s been bothering me — the subtle promotion of GLP-1 microdosing by fitness influencers who should know better.

In this episode:

• What bulking and cutting actually mean
• Why “bulking” is probably going to leave you with results you don't like
• What to do instead if your goal is muscle, strength, and long-term results
• A quick word on GLP-1 micro dosing and online promotions that feel... off

If you’re tired of complicated trends and just want clear guidance on what works, this episode will help you cut through the noise and stay focused on what matters.

Resources mentioned:

• Learn to Lift – VIP Edition > (Join now for live coaching with me this June)
• Midlife Fat Loss Formula > (Mini course for sustainable fat loss in midlife)

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

Ever wonder how to fit strength training into your week — especially when you also want to include other types of exercise?

In this episode, I walk you through the key things to consider when building a weekly workout schedule that includes strength training and leaves room for the other things you love. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula — it’s about helping you create something that works for your goals, your energy levels, and your real life.

You'll hear:

• Why Strength Training should be Your anchor
• What to consider when adding cardio, walking, and recovery days
• How stress, recovery, and life circumstances impact your schedule
• How to decide what type of movement to pair together — and when to back off
• Tips for designing a week of training that supports your long-term health and consistency

Resources mentioned:

Episode #67: Sprint Intercal Training

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

There’s a lot of noise out there about “strength training” — but are you really doing it?

If your workouts involve dumbbells, sweat, and a fast pace… you might just be doing cardio with weights. And if you’re not following certain key principles, you're missing out on the true benefits of strength training.

In this episode, I break down:

• The key differences between strength training and working out with weights
• What proper strength training looks like
• Why workouts like BodyPump or random YouTube videos often miss the mark
• How to tell if you're applying progressive overload (and why that matters)
• The surprising truth about heart rate, rest periods, and combo moves

This one’s a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re doing “counts” - and what to change if you want stronger bones, better blood sugar control, more muscle, and greater independence in midlife and beyond.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• My free 10-day Lift Off strength training challenge >>
• Learn to Lift programs >>
• Strength training membership >>

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and actually get strong — this is where to start.

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

When it’s time to swap out an exercise in your program — whether to freshen things up or work your muscles in a new way — it’s easy to assume you can go just as hard as before.

But here’s the truth: even if you’re strong, your body needs time to adapt to a new movement. Especially in midlife, when old injuries and cranky joints are more common. Diving in too fast can set you back.

In episode 120, I walk you through:

1. Why sticking with the same exercises for 8–12 weeks is key to progress
2. How to safely introduce a new or returning movement (even if you’re strong!)
3. My personal example of switching from leg presses to Bulgarian split squats
4. The smart way I program swaps so you can keep progressing

Enjoy the episode!

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

Struggling to get enough protein in your day? Most of us aren’t eating enough — and how do I know? Because it’s almost impossible to do without conscious effort and some level of meal planning.

So let’s talk about protein.

In this episode, I share:

1. Why protein is especially important in midlife
2. How much you really need
3. How to calculate your daily target
4. What to look for in a good protein powder
5. A practical, real-life way to plan your meals to hit your protein goal without stress

P.S. If you have questions about protein, send them to me — I’d love to do a future episode answering your FAQs. Send me a message via Instagram >>

Enjoy the show!

Resources mentioned in the episode:

– Protein powder recommendations >>

– Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME (dumbbells-only) >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

This episode is a little more personal.

I’m talking about something so many of us carry quietly: the complicated relationship we’ve had with our bodies for decades. From pinching belly fat as a teen to being picked last in PE to trying to “fix” the things we don’t like… it’s a journey so many midlife women know all too well.

In this episode, I’m sharing my own story - how sports and strength training helped me shift from hating parts of my body to actually loving what it could do. Not just in the gym, but in everyday life. And why that shift matters more than ever now, as we age.

This is about more than aesthetics. It’s about seeing our bodies not as a problem to fix, but as a partner in the life we want to keep living - fully and actively - for decades to come.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your body but also proud of what it’s capable of, this one’s for you.

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/

When it comes to seeing results from strength training, what you do outside of your workouts matters just as much as what happens during them—especially in midlife.

In part 2 of this series, I’m walking you through the lifestyle choices that either support or slow down your progress. These aren’t trendy hacks or extreme routines. They’re the kinds of everyday habits that help your body recover, build muscle, and feel better overall.

You’ll learn:

• Why recovery time is when your muscles actually grow
• How much food and protein you really need to support your training
• The truth about creatine, sleep, stress—and yes, even alcohol
• Why training hard without supporting your body can actually backfire

These are simple, sustainable changes that make a big difference—not just for your training, but for how you feel every day as a woman in midlife.

Enjoy the episode!

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #116: Factors That Impact Your Strength Training Results (Part 1: Things you can & can't control)
• Episode #110: The Right Way to Recover After Strength Training (Rest, Fuel & Tips for Faster Recovery)
• Episode #32: How to get enough protein each day - practical tips for eating more protein
• Episode #63: Tips for Better Quality Sleep in Menopause
• Episode #41: Stress: Why you should NOT ignore it in menopause

Send me your thoughts 😃

Support the show

• TRIAL MY MEMBERSHIP: Already strength training? Test out my Strength Training Membership. Save 20% on your first 2 months with coupon code POD20 (apply at checkout). Check out the membership here >>
• Kick-start your lifting with my easy-to-follow Learn to Lift programs:
  • Learn to Lift at HOME >>
  • Learn to Lift at the GYM >>
• Lose fat with The Midlife Fat Loss Formula >>
• Download my free guide to working with your menopausal body >>
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter>>
• Follow & chat with me on Instagram: befitafter40_withlynn/