Recent research has unveiled the incredible benefits of the Pvolve fitness regime, particularly for women experiencing menopause. Conducted by the University of Exeter, this study highlights how the Pilates-inspired workout, endorsed by actress Jennifer Aniston, surpasses traditional government fitness guidelines. Aniston, who became the face of Pvolve after starting the program during the COVID-19 lockdowns, calls it a "game-changer" for fitness and overall health.
The findings point to significant advantages of Pvolve, especially for women aged 40 to 60. Unlike the standard NHS recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, the study indicates the at-home, low-impact exercises of Pvolve yield much greater improvements for menopausal women. Researchers tracked 72 moderately active participants who were not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and assigned them either the Pvolve regimen or traditional exercise routines over 12 weeks.
According to the results published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, those who followed the Pvolve program saw remarkable benefits, achieving enhancements such as up to 19% improvement in hip function and lower body strength. Flexibility increased by 21%, and balance improved by 10%. These findings are especially relevant considering the decline of muscle strength and stability women often face during menopause.
“Women often see a decline in their muscle strength and balance shortly before, during and after the menopause. This increases the risk of falls and fractures later, which is why it's important to maintain strength and balance as they age,” stated Professor Francis Stephens, who led the research. Notably, the study demonstrated similar improvements across pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal groups, showing the universality of the benefits from Pvolve’s routines.
Aniston has praised the program for its adaptability, saying, “I had a friend who had been doing Pvolve... I noticed her transformation, not just physically but also her energy level.” This sentiment aligns with the findings, emphasizing the workout's holistic approach to fitness, which is particularly empowering for women enabling them to train from home.
The Pvolve exercises typically incorporate various resistance bands and lightweight training regimes, structured to gradually intensify over the program's duration. Sessions are 30 to 35 minutes long and combine strength training with mobility and balance work, helping mitigate the adverse effects of menopause on physical health.
Despite the positive results associated with resistance training, there has been a notable surge in HRT prescriptions for menopausal women, reflecting the growing concern surrounding menopause management and symptom relief. A whopping 11 million HRT prescriptions were delivered last year alone, illustrating the demand for solutions to combat menopause-related health declines.
Julie Cartwright, president of Pvolve, expressed her enthusiasm about the research, stating, “Women undergo tremendous physical change during the menopause transition, and this research shows the Pvolve method can serve as an intervention, helping women to live and feel well.” Cartwright's statement encapsulates the mission of Pvolve: to promote functional fitness among women as they navigate significant life changes.
Professor Stephens reiterated this sentiment, reflecting on the accessibility of the Pvolve program: “The great thing about these simple resistance exercises is they can easily be performed at home, and we’ve now shown they’re effective at improving strength and balance in women during and post-menopause.” This accessibility might just be the key to encouraging more women to embrace fitness as they age.
While the NHS recommends engaging in diverse forms of physical activity—including moderate exercises like brisk walking and strength training—this study underlines the effectiveness of Pvolve's unique approach, benefitting women at pivotal stages of their health transition.
With over 70% of participants reporting improvements not just physically but also in their day-to-day wellbeing, the Pvolve method could represent more than just another fad. Instead, it could signify a shift toward more personalized fitness approaches addressing women’s specific health needs, especially during menopause.
Simply put, as more women become empowered through programs like Pvolve, the conversation surrounding menopause, fitness, and health continues to evolve. Aniston’s advocacy, coupled with strong research findings, may just pave the way for broader acceptance and integration of functional fitness regimes for all women, reflecting their unique experiences and physical changes throughout life.
This research signals exciting progress in the field of women’s health, reminding us all of the importance of staying active, especially during pivotal life transitions like menopause. Embracing innovative fitness solutions such as Pvolve could soon become integral to maintaining health and wellness long term.