Fitness trend cycle-syncing lacks scientific evidence

A growing social media trend known as ‘cycle-syncing’ suggests that women should adjust their exercise routines based on the specific phase of their menstrual cycle. This trend has seen a significant rise in popularity, with Google searches for the term increasing by 740% since 2022 and over 55,000 videos using the hashtag #cyclesyncing on TikTok.

Most of the advice circulating on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is provided by fitness and lifestyle content creators rather than medical professionals or researchers. These recommendations typically suggest lighter activities like Pilates or walking during menstruation, increasing intensity during the follicular phase, and focusing on high-intensity strength training around ovulation.

Kelly McNulty, a researcher at Leeds Beckett University specializing in menstrual cycles and physical exercise, notes that while some women do experience changes in energy, strength, or symptoms throughout their cycle, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that all women should follow a specific training regimen at certain times. McNulty describes the trend as being ‘based on marketing, rather than any kind of research or evidence,’ emphasizing that menstrual cycles are highly individual and vary significantly between people and even between cycles for the same person.