Cycle syncing is something you might have heard about in recent years, but if you’re still unsure what it is, you’ve come to the right place. “The concept of cycle syncing refers to aligning certain types of workouts to the different parts of your menstrual cycle,” says Dr. Cheruba Prabakar, a board-certified OB-GYN and one of The Luna Daily Collective of medical advisors. “The idea is that our mood, appetite, strength, and energy fluctuate based on which part of the menstrual cycle we are in, thus making it more ideal for certain types of body movement and exercise over others.”
As an overview, your menstrual cycle consists of four phases: menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal. “More restorative activities may be prioritized with an actual period to give the body a chance to recuperate and rest,” says Dr. Prabakar. “More intense exercises may best align mid-cycle during ovulation when the body has the highest amounts of energy and zest.”
In short, you’ll generally feel more tired and have lower energy during your menstruation and luteal phases, whereas your follicular and ovulatory phases are associated with higher energy. Adjusting your routine to this rise and fall of energy and hormones is the foundation of cycle syncing, and your overall fitness routine and activity levels are big factors that come into play.
