Dr. Tony Boutagy, PhD in Exercise and Sports Science, joins me for a myth-busting conversation about the surge of influencer claims surrounding peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women’s strength training.
Tony brings clarity, scientific context, and decades of applied expertise to help cut through misinformation and fear-driven content targeted at women in midlife.
He breaks down:
• Debunking the claim that Zone 2 cardio isn’t as effective for women as it is for men
• Debunking the claim that women shouldn’t ever train fasted
• Debunking the claim that women have a short “anabolic window” for post-workout nutrition
• Debunking the claim that women should only strength train in sets of 3–5 reps
• How influencers misuse rodent data to make unsupported claims about women’s training
• Why the claim that there’s “no research on women” is false
• How entire brands get built around misleading or exaggerated ideas
• How self-selection bias influences women’s training preferences
• Whether training should change for women seeking improved bone health
• And much more
CHAPTERS
01:02 Debunking Myths: Zone Two Cardio for Women
06:18 Sponsorship Message: Macros First
07:30 Fasted Training: Myths and Realities
18:56 Debunking Myths: Anabolic Window for Women
26:37 Training Recommendations: Heavy Lifting for Women
30:01 Effective Rep Ranges for Different Exercises
30:50 Practical Implications of Coaching
31:24 Science vs. Online Advice
33:31 Evaluating Credibility in Health Advice
34:42 The Role of Conferences in Scientific Claims
36:46 Challenges in Public Perception of Science
46:44 Misconceptions in Female Training
50:58 Training for Bone Health in Aging
56:04 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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