The fitness industry has largely forgotten about women over 40, pushing high-intensity workouts that leave us exhausted and discouraged. Christine Kirkland discovered a different path after becoming a mother and finding that the "no pain, no gain" mentality was destroying her body rather than strengthening it. Through Pilates, she found better results with less impact and has since dedicated her practice to helping women over 40 build strength, balance, and bone density through intentional, low-impact movement. This conversation challenges the assumption that heavy weights and intense workouts are the only path to fitness results and explores why slower, more focused movement might be exactly what our bodies need as we age.

I am a convert! I tried traditional Pilates in groups, one on one, on a reformer and on the mat and never felt it was "for me." Then I tried one of Christine's classes using her free, 7-day trial.

Now I take one of her classes 3 -4 times per week and am loving it. No more neck strain doing the hundreds!

Key Themes

·       Rethinking Fitness After 40: The high-intensity approaches that work in your twenties often leave women over 40 exhausted and injured. Our bodies need a different approach focused on balance, bone density, muscle mass, posture, and core strength rather than just aesthetics.

·       The Power of Intentional Movement: Slowing down allows you to actually activate the muscles you're targeting. When we move too fast with too much weight, "bully muscles" take over, leading to improper form, pain, and ineffective workouts.

·       Building Strength Without Heavy Weights: You don't need heavy weights to build muscle mass and bone density. Resistance comes in many forms including your own body weight, light weights, bands, and small props. A plank is one of the most effective exercises for women over 40.

·       Balance as a Longevity Marker: Research shows that the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds predicts lifespan. Balance should be a primary focus for women over 50, as falls can be life-changing events that significantly impact independence and quality of life.

·       Movement as Prehab: Pilates focuses on joint mobility and proper alignment before adding load. This approach prevents injury and ensures you're building strength from a foundation of good alignment rather than reinforcing compensatory movement patterns.

·       Finding What Works for Your Body: Not every workout is for every person. If high-intensity training leaves you depleted and discouraged, you're not the problem—you just haven't found the right workout yet.

Take aways and to dos

·       Test your balance: Stand on one leg for 10 seconds. If you can't do this, make balance work a priority in your fitness routine.

·       Start with lighter weights than you think you need: If you're new to Pilates or intentional movement, try 1-2 pound weights. Focus on feeling the target muscle working rather than how much weight you can lift.

·       Pay attention to your bully muscles: Notice if your neck tenses during shoulder work or if your hip flexors burn during core exercises. These are signs that the intended muscles aren't activating properly and you need to slow down, reduce weight, or adjust form.

·       Prioritize alignment before load: Before adding weight or resistance to any movement, ensure your joints are in proper alignment. This prevents injury and makes exercises more effective.

·       Make time for shorter workouts: You don't need an hour to get results. A focused 20-25 minute workout can be highly effective when done with intention.

·       Stop comparing yourself to your 25-year-old self: What worked in your twenties won't necessarily work in your forties, fifties, and beyond. Your body has different needs now, and that's not a failing—it's just reality.

About Christine Kirkland

Christine Kirkland is a certified Pilates instructor who specializes in working with women over 40. After struggling with postpartum depression and finding that high-intensity workouts left her exhausted and discouraged, she discovered Pilates and was amazed by the results from low-impact, intentional movement. She became certified to teach Pilates and has adapted her method specifically for the needs of women over 40, focusing on balance, bone health, muscle mass, posture, and core strength. Christine runs My Pilates, an online studio offering over 150 classes, weekly programming, live classes, and regular five-day challenges designed to meet women where they are in their fitness journey.

Connect with Christine

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Memorable Moments

·       "The fitness industry really has forgotten about women over 40. What 20-year-old fitness influencers are pushing out there for us to do—it's not wrong, it's just not right for women in their forties, fifties, sixties, and up until their eighties."

·       "When you move too fast with too much load, the bully muscles turn on. That shoulder muscle gets tired and the neck muscles take over—that's when you get the neck pain."

·       "I wish women would stop thinking that what worked in their twenties is gonna work for them in their forties. It's a whole different ballgame when you're over 40."

·       "You can build muscle with any type of resistance against your body. A plank using your own body weight is one of the best exercises you can do over the age of 40."

·       "Balance is one of the most important things you can work on over the age of 50. Falls can have such catastrophic effects on quality of life and independence."

·       "If anyone's feeling discouraged with exercise, I just really want them to know that they're not alone and you were never the problem. You just haven't found the right workout."