Perimenopause, Heavy Weights, and Why CrossFit is Your Secret Weapon

If you’re currently navigating perimenopause, you already know it can feel like your body has stage-managed a coup. One day you’re fine, and the next, you’re dealing with "where are my keys?" brain fog, joints that ache for no reason, and a sudden, frustrating loss of muscle. It’s a lot to handle.

I talk to women every day who know they should be lifting weights—they’ve heard the podcasts and read the articles about bone density—but the idea of walking into a CrossFit gym feels about as relaxing as a root canal.

If that’s you, I want to share a bit about how we actually do things here, because it’s probably not what you’re imagining.

Perfection is a Myth (And a Boring One)

Usually, the first thing people worry about is technique. And look, technique matters. We’re big on moving safely. But there’s this weird "technique zealot" culture online that says you shouldn’t even look at a barbell until your form is flawless.

Honestly? That’s just not helpful. It keeps people paralyzed on the sidelines.

In our gym, we treat movement like a skill you practice, not a test you have to pass before you’re allowed to start. We’ll help you find a version of a movement that works for your body today. Maybe your squat isn’t "textbook" yet because your hips are tight, or an old injury limits your overhead reach. That’s fine. We find the "challenge point" that’s safe for you and we get to work. We don't wait for perfection to start building a stronger version of you.

The "Heavy Day" Social Hour

One of my favorite things about CrossFit Orillia happens on our "Heavy Days." You might think a day dedicated to lifting heavy weights would be intense and quiet, but it’s actually the loudest, most social time in the gym.

When we’re lifting, there’s a lot of built-in rest. That’s where the magic happens. You’ll be standing around the chalk bucket, catching your breath, and you’ll find yourself talking to someone who started exactly where you are.

I’ve overheard so many conversations where a new member asks, "Did you feel like this when you started?" and a veteran member—who is now deadlifting 200 lbs—laughs and says, "Oh, I was terrified. I used a PVC pipe for three months." That shared experience is the "Wolfpack" secret sauce. You aren't just a person at a gym; you’re part of a group of women who are all figuring it out together.

Nutrition: Moving Past the Internet Noise

Then there’s the food. If you search "perimenopause nutrition" online, you’ll find a thousand different people telling you a thousand different things. It’s exhausting.

We like to keep it simple and grounded in what your body actually needs right now. For most of the women we work with, the "big win" is usually just dialing in protein. As our hormones shift, our bodies get a little "leaky" with muscle—we lose it faster than we used to.

Instead of giving you a restrictive diet that makes your life miserable, we just help you clear the confusion. We focus on fueling the work you’re doing in the gym so you actually have the energy to enjoy your life in Orillia, rather than just surviving it.

Come Hang Out

At the end of the day, strength training doesn’t have to be this intimidating, elite thing. It’s really just about showing up, moving a bit better than you did yesterday, and having a community that has your back when the "perimenopause fog" rolls in.

If you’re curious, just come see us. No pressure, no "hard sell." Just come meet the coaches, see the space, and meet a few people who used to be just as nervous as you are.

CrossFit is for anyone—including you. Especially you.