When you first start a new exercise, it can feel really challenging. But after a few weeks of doing it regularly, you might notice that it starts to feel easier. That’s a good thing – it means your body is adapting and you’re getting stronger or more confident with the movement. But if you keep doing exactly the same exercise, with the same resistance and the same number of repetitions, eventually it may no longer provide enough of a challenge to keep producing change. This i

Regular exercise during perimenopause, menopause and beyond can help support muscle and bone strength, cardiovascular health, balance and overall wellbeing. Perimenopause and menopause are natural stages of life that every woman experiences, yet they often bring changes that can make staying active feel more challenging. You may notice that exercises which once felt easy now require more effort, your joints feel stiffer in the morning, or you're finding it harder to maintain

If you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA), you may have been told that your joints are simply "wearing out" and that you should avoid too much activity. It's an understandable belief, and one that many people have heard over the years. However, our understanding of OA has changed considerably. Current UK guidance recommends exercise as one of the main treatments for OA. Rather than causing further damage, appropriate exercise can help reduce pain, improve strength, ma

Evidence-based guidance for people with osteoporosis or osteopenia from Chartered Physiotherapist and Pilates instructor Lorraine Maxwell (Updated August 2026 • 8 minute read). Balance training is one of the key recommendations within the Strong, Steady and Straight guidance, helping to reduce falls risk and maintain independence. If you've recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, you may wondering whether it is still safe to exercise - or whether Pilates is r