Life doesn’t always respect your perfectly planned training week. If you’re a woman over 40 following a strength training program, you might be juggling sleep swings, work crunches, hormonal shifts, caretaking, and everything in between. This episode breaks down how to keep your momentum without falling into the all-or-nothing trap so you still get a damn good training stimulus on busy days.

Steph explains a simple framework for structured flexibility – keeping the big-picture plan while adapting the day’s session. You’ll learn three practical ways to modify workouts using RPE / RIR, so you can train smarter, protect progress, and stay consistent in midlife.

• Why “all or nothing” thinking keeps sabotaging your strength progress after 40

• The simple shift that lets you keep momentum even when life gets chaotic

• Three creative ways to make workouts shorter without losing results

• How to know if you’re still training hard enough on those scaled-back days

• The mindset reframe that makes consistency possible long-term

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

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Feeling like the Tin Man when your feet hit the floor – and winded on a single flight of stairs – doesn’t have to be “just your 40s.” In this episode, we call BS on the idea that midlife means inevitable decline and lays out a clear, doable plan for rebuilding strength, muscle, and pep in your step over the next six months. No doom and gloom here – just evidence-informed training that respects your real life.

You’ll learn exactly how to structure your workouts for results: which compound lifts to prioritize, how to sprinkle in isolation work the smart way, and why adding power and plyometrics helps you feel quick and athletic again. We’ll also touch on where cardio fits for women over 40 so you can train wisely without living in the gym.

• The base of your lifting should be this

• Should you do cardio with your lifting?

• Why avoiding power work or impact over 40 backfires

• When to use isolation exercises

• Why 6 day a week bro splits aren't working for women 40+

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

Ready to have the plan done for you – with full-body strength, smart power progressions, and cardio that actually fits your life? Grab a 7-day sample of Strong with Steph at stephgaudreau.com/workout – then join the program and let Steph lay it out so you can just open the app and lift. 

For many women over 40, cardio brings up memories of the 90s and early 2000s – endless hours on the elliptical, chasing a smaller body, and pushing through with Red Bulls and salads. It was an era marked by toxic fitness culture, and the fallout left a lot of us burnt out, swearing off cardio completely. But now, with energy, stamina, and health markers changing in midlife, it might be time to take another look at how cardio fits into your life.

In this episode, we explore what it means to rebuild a healthier relationship with cardio. From my personal journey – burnout from endurance sports, swinging the pendulum into strength training, then finding my way back to cardio on my own terms – to practical ways you can ease it back into your routine, this conversation is about healing from old patterns and creating balance. You’ll also hear answers to common questions about what counts as cardio, how to tell if it’s moderate or vigorous, and how to weave it in with your lifting.

• Why so many women over 40 have a complicated history with cardio

• The role of diet culture and body ideals in shaping our relationship with endurance exercise

• How to reframe cardio as a supportive tool instead of punishment

• Practical ways to bring conditioning back without burnout or dread

• Guidelines for balancing cardio with strength training so both work together

• Simple strategies for starting small and progressing over time

Motivation for working out episode

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout

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Ever wonder if you’re lifting enough weight to truly see progress? You’re not alone – this is one of the most common questions in the gym, especially among athletic women over 40 who want to keep getting stronger without wasting time on unchallenging workouts. In this episode, you’ll learn a simple, almost foolproof way to gauge your lifting intensity – one you’ve probably never considered before – plus how it stacks up with other methods like RPE, reps in reserve, and bar speed.

We’ll explore what the science says about how your body (and face) signal effort, why “playing it safe” too long can stall your gains, and how to use these cues to choose the right weight every time. Plus, we’ll address the appearance-based fears that sometimes hold lifters back and reframe what really matters for strength, longevity, and performance as we age.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• A surprisingly effective visual cue to know if your weights are challenging enough.

• How facial expressions connect to effort and fatigue – and what research shows.

• Other key indicators like bar speed, RPE, and reps in reserve to cross-check your effort.

• Why small, strategic weight jumps are more effective than big, intimidating increases.

• The bigger trade-off when fear of wrinkles or “ugly lifting face” prevents pushing yourself.

Studies:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25435786/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30562370/

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout

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Starting strength training after 40 can feel intimidating—especially when all the internet advice focuses on technical minutiae like deadlift angles or optimal rep ranges. But what if the biggest keys to success weren’t about that at all? In this episode, you’ll zoom out to the big picture and learn four foundational lessons that will make your strength journey more effective and sustainable from day one.

Using a year of personal experience learning to play the drums, this episode draws an insightful analogy between picking up a musical skill and building your strength training practice. If you’ve been unsure where to begin or find yourself stuck in perfectionist mode, this is the roadmap you’ve been missing. These aren’t quick hacks—they’re timeless mindset and behavior strategies that can keep you lifting for life.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The type of mindset you need when starting something new

• The thing to seek out early – even if you’re a total beginner

• What to let go of to find joy in the process

• Why these foundational lessons can help you stick with strength training when things get tough

• How to apply these ideas whether you're brand new to lifting or getting back into it after a break

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout

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In this episode, you'll learn about common misconceptions in strength training related to gym "cheating." Discover why certain training methods are not only valid but can be the right choice depending on your needs and goals.

You'll get insights into choosing the right techniques and tools for your fitness over 40, especially if you're new to lifting, managing injuries, or looking to optimize your performance.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Common myths around strength training tools and techniques.

• How gym machines can be beneficial tools in your workouts.

• Why sumo deadlifts are a legitimate lifting technique.

• Practical reasons to use lifting straps during strength training.

• The importance of individualizing your training approach.

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 

If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout

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Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

One of the greatest rivalries I see in programming strength training for women over 40 is the battle between strength and muscle. My approach to strength training and muscle growth incorporates a cohesive and holistic approach to your programming that will help you reach your goals and incorporate these philosophies into your training program.

If You Want to Leverage Your Strength and Hypertrophy, You Should:

1. You don't have to choose between muscle or strength building; you need them both as a woman over 40, especially
2. Think about your goals and make sure your program is aligned with them
3. Use accessory work to break up the repetition and fill in the weak points of your training

I like to think of accessory work, supplementary exercises that support your main lifts, like the toppings to your delicious training burger. Accessory work can help you spice things up in your training, address imbalances, or help you understand what you want to work on. 

It is not just about strength development or muscle growth; the goal is to help you weave these things together to further enhance your strength development and hypertrophy, prevent injuries, and so much more.

Building muscle takes place across a spectrum. By thinking both bilaterally and unilaterally about your accessory work depending on where you are at in your program, you will be able to find your training tempo and add the necessary context it takes to reach your training goals.

I want you to be able to understand the ‘why’, the rationale. You don't need to be able to repeat it all back to me, but if you can understand the why behind your programming, you will be more likely to follow through, improve your consistency, and get better results. I want to give you the resources you need to be successful with strength training and reach the goals you are striving for.

Are you ready to get your strength training guide for women over 40? Share your hopes and expectations for the next year of training with me in the comments on the episode page.

• Why accessory work is an essential part of a well-rounded strength training program (8:25)
• How to program accessory work to align with your strength training development goals (14:33)
• What is hypertrophy, and what do you need to know to build muscle (22:34)
• The importance of tempo when it comes to hypertrophy (32:20)
• Examples of what the flow of a workout should look and feel like and common mistakes (35:17)

“I want you to walk away from this podcast feeling more informed, more educated, and like you can understand the program that is being put in front of you.” (4:14)

“We want to get in, be focused, make it count.” (24:01)

“I can't say this enough, so slow down. You might have to use less weight, but it is going to be more effective.” (32:27)

“If you are out in the world and you are looking for a program, Strong with Steph might not be for everyone, and that is totally fine. But know what your goals are.” (41:22)

“Having a structured program that is written by somebody who understands programming and all of these concepts is the best bet for saving your brain space.” (49:27)

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FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger

FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40

FYS 436: Why Movement Prep & Balance Matter in Strength Training Over 40

FYS 437: Plyo and Strength Development for Women Over 40

True strength development isn't something that should be skipped at any age. However, when you are a woman over 40, these training tools become key assets to your overall training, health, and longevity. When you understand the key components that go into making a proper strength training program, you can better equip yourself to obtain your goals in the best way possible.

If You Want to Harness Strength Development, You Should: 

1. Start small and with an approachable amount of jumping in plyometrics

2. Use strength development to keep your strength as you age and reduce strength limitation

3. Get a program that is well-designed and understands the nuances of exercise progressions

Understanding why and how I program certain exercises into Strong with Steph is crucial for me to help you understand. The rationale behind these important components will not only help you better understand the training you are doing, but it will also help you pick the program and trainer that aligns with your goals and understands how to help you succeed. If you notice that you are feeling slower, I want to help you improve and make strength training approachable in all aspects.

As you are evaluating programs, I want you to ensure that your approach to strength training is helping you become more well-rounded regardless of your goals. Strength training plans are meant to help you learn what you need to do. The specific rep, set, and load ranges are designed to work on maximum force development. Plyometric training, lifting appropriately hard weights, starting small, and incorporating unilateral and rotative moments in your training are all key components that can make a huge difference in your overall results.

Anyone looking to be athletic, but especially women over 40, needs to be aware of these key aspects so that you can use strength training as a way to understand your strength journey better.

How does strength training play into your overall health goals? Share your story with me in the comments on the episode page.  

• Why these types of exercises are simply something you cannot skip as you age (4:45)
• Understanding plyometrics, jumping, and how it can help you improve your overall training (16:34)
• Specific quality over quantity tips when it comes to power and plyometrics (30:38)
• How to get over the fear around strength training by understanding the parameters (41:00)
• What you can do to help your body perform at its best through every stage of life and training (51:30)

“It's not that we are saying there is some magical strength training that only women over 40 will benefit from. Of course not. We know what the parameters of strength training are, and we are going to talk about that in this episode. It's just our ability to skip that and not see those negative impacts because we are aging and going through these hormonal changes, we can't avoid it any longer. Strength training is one thing that we have in our arsenal of tools.” (8:08)

“Our tissues adapt, and they don't stop adapting. The problem is we have stopped doing these exercises.” (19:50)

“Strong with Steph Programing does include strength development. This is a key aspect for women over 40.” (35:57)

“We know this stuff is critical for anyone who wants to build their actual strength, but when you are over 40, it becomes something that will have more negative outcomes if you skip it.” (36:46)

“Just like any other kind of training y'all, progressive overload is critical.” (41:01)

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FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger

FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40

FYS 436: Movement Prep & Balance

FYS 427: Your Fitness App Calls it Strength Training, But Is It? With Nikki Naab-Levy

When it comes to creating a progressive overload plan, we have touched on a lot of elements so far. However, when it comes to how to specifically create your program, whether you are creating a program for yourself, finding one online, or looking to work with a trainer in person, there are some nuances that need to be discussed.

If You Want to Improve Your Strength Training, You Should:

1. Give yourself the freedom to warm up and work on balance as a key part of your strength training program
2. Focus on the type of exercises that will help you feel good for longer 
3. Challenge yourself with where your current ability level is and up the ante over time

When you are doing a deadlift, overhead press, bench press, or squat, you need to familiarize your body with the movement pattern you are going to be doing that day. Movement prep and balance work will help you prepare your body for what is coming next, and create positive changes in how your body and brain relate to each other more effectively when things get heavy. Giving yourself the freedom to warm up, be consistent, and listen to your body, is what is going to get you further in your progressive overload plan.

Movement prep and balance work are two things that I program into every session of Strong with Steph. Especially as we transition from perimenopause to postmenopause, we need to work with the changes happening in our bodies to help ourselves stay strong for longer. The truth is, that our body loses strength, hormones, and energy as we get older, which is why we need to have a strength training plan that helps us combat what we are losing and instead helps us find gains. Implementing a well-planned program takes the burden off of you so that you can focus on feeling great.

Are you ready to reevaluate your strength training plan as a woman over 40? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page.

• A recap of what we have spoken about so far when it comes to strength training over 40 (2:45)
• The importance of balance work for longevity as we age (6:45)
• How movement preparation can improve your training program (14:52)
• Understanding the role of estrogen when it comes to your joints and their needs (20:16)
• Examples of balance work and movement prep that show up in the Strong with Steph Workout Plan (30:15)

“Having these guide your strength training is super, super important, and not something you want to gloss over when you are either writing a program for yourself, finding one online, or looking to work with a trainer in person.” (2:35)

“Movement preparation and balance work create a foundation for building strength and are so important when we are considering longevity in training and safety and mitigating risk to the best of our possible influence, especially as we are aging.” (6:13)

“Research strongly supports the idea that warming up with the actual lift you plan to perform but at a lighter load is an effective way to prepare your body for heavier lifting.” (21:20)

“Addressing these things through training is very important, and there is something that you can do about it.” (29:08)

“Movement prep and balance work are essential, and we know they are going to play an important role in joint health, mitigating the risk of injury and enhancing our experience of progressive overload.” (39:24)

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FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40

FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger

I get a lot of messages about RPE, Reps in Reserve, and Autoregulation. These are powerful tools, that when practiced, can help you as you implement a long-term strength training program, especially as a woman over 40. However, it takes understanding the pieces that go into these tools, and a well-rounded program, to really make the most of their benefits.

If You Are Looking for Trainings Tools, You Should:

1. Use autoregulation as a way to adjust your training plan and allow for more flexibility 
2. Remember that you do not have to be perfect or give your all to have a successful training session.
3. Collect your own data about yourself and what your body needs throughout your life changes

Learning about Yourself through Strength

Having a performance-forward approach when it comes to your workout intensity is great, but it can leave space for injury or overuse. Using the scales of RPE and Reps in Reserve, you can allow yourself a moment to check in and make adjustments to the structure of your program. 

While working with a coach is great, learning how to observe your body and what it needs is something that you can do yourself. These tools will help you understand your body in a way that will encourage sustainability and longevity in your strength training program.

It’s All About Flexibility

A good strength training program leaves room for both structure and flexibility. Learning how to adjust your intensity not only helps you learn more about your body, but it can help you tackle those low-energy days without completely giving up and potentially taking a long break.

Autoregulation will keep you moving forward with your program even on lower energy days, which can happen especially as we adjust to new demands on our lives and our bodies. Adjusting the plan based on Autoregulation will help you continue to show up and do your best, while also meeting yourself where you are at.

Are you ready to adjust your effort in order to gain more sustainability and effectiveness in your program? Share your thoughts on this episode with me in the comments on the episode page.

• Understand the guiding principles of a well-rounded training program (4:35)
• Learn exactly what RPE and Reps In Reserve are (11:40)
• Why these tools are so useful for women, especially as they age past 40 (16:06)
• What is autoregulation and why it is a useful tool for your workouts (17:51)
• Benefits of RPE and Reps in Reserve for women over 40 (28:02)
• Simple ways you can learn to make the gauges necessary for autoregulation and more (33:31)

“The value of using something like RPE is that it helps to tailor your workout intensity to match your daily energy level, your daily bandwidth, how much capacity you have today.” (15:01)

“This isn't a proprietary way for women over 40 to manage their own strength training. However, it is a validated tool that we can use because it is contextually allowing us more flexibility within the structure of a program.” (16:25)

“This is all part of the tapestry of your own unique autoregulation and recovery and getting to know yourself over time.” (20:47)

“There is structure, but there is also flexibility. And I think that is a really key take-home message and take-home point of this particular podcast.” (25:50)

“We have to keep training if we want to continue to either maintain or see gains over time.” (30:43)

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Study from the Journal of Strength Conditioning Research

Full Show Notes

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FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger