The dreaded G word… Gym.

I’ve always loved being active. Even back in primary school, I was the kid who joined every after-school sports club, lunchtime activity, and even travelled to other schools for competitions.

If you’ve read my previous blogs, you’ll know that I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS. After doing a lot of research into PCOS-friendly movement, I’ve put together my top 5 exercises that support PCOS symptoms.

1. Swimming

I LOVE swimming. It’s one of my favourite forms of exercise because it works every muscle in your body. You don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer to get in a good session. Before covid, I would spend hours in the pool and always came out feeling refreshed. It’s low-impact, gentle, and doesn’t strain the body—ideal for PCOS, especially when dealing with cramps and aches.

2. Cycling

Indoor or outdoor cycling is great for PCOS. I love it because you can go at your own pace—slow, fast, or anything in between. If you have an indoor bike, you can pop on a show and pedal away, which makes it so much easier. I also use my bike to get miles in for my virtual challenges, which is a massive motivator on days when I’m struggling. Plus, it helps avoid the gym anxiety… which I definitely get.

3. Walking / Slow Jogging

I really enjoy the Couch to 5k programme. I can’t run like I used to, but I still love doing a bit of slow jogging a few times a week. Walking is also a big part of my life since I don’t drive, and it has become such a great addition to my virtual challenges too.

4. Weighted Workouts

Starting with lighter weights and building up gradually is key for PCOS. There’s a pump class at my gym that I used to adore. The pandemic threw everything off for a while, but now that I’m back working on myself, weights have slowly become a bigger part of my routine.

As someone who boxed competitively for six years, I was constantly told that weights make you heavy and slow—which in boxing is true—so adapting to a new style of training has taken some time. But I’m getting there.

5. Yoga

Whether it’s after a workout or after a long day, yoga is my go-to for relaxing and resetting. Sometimes I’ll do a session purely to unwind. I have a great app on my phone and Apple Watch with loads of helpful poses, and it’s really helping me become more flexible.

Living with PCOS has meant learning to slow down, which has been a challenge for someone who spent years doing fast-paced boxing training. But the more research I do, the more I understand my body. I’ve learnt so much already from podcasts and YouTube videos of people who have eased their symptoms through diet and exercise.

It shocked me how much PCOS can affect your whole body—it’s illness after illness at times. I’ve been quieter lately because I’ve had a lot of appointments, but writing these blogs again has made me feel like me.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and check in—it means more than you know. And trust me, I have plenty more stories, tips, and experiences to share.

Thank you for reading, and I can’t wait to bring you more PCOS-friendly tips soon! 💛

Chloe x