Best Things I love about Reformer Pilates

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One of the things I love most about Reformer Pilates is how adaptable it is – especially for midlife women. The machine might look a little daunting at first, but it’s an incredible piece of kit that supports your body while challenging it in all the right ways. For women with sore knees, dodgy hips, or stiff shoulders, the Reformer takes away the pressure of the floor and allows you to move smoothly with control.

That’s why my Golden Bloom classes at Bloom Reformer Studio Mickleover are so popular. Every session is tailored to meet you where you’re at – whether you’re building back strength, improving mobility, or simply wanting to feel more confident in how your body moves. I make sure the springs and exercises suit your needs, so you can strengthen without strain and stretch without stress.

The results are fantastic: better posture, stronger core, improved balance, and a feeling that your body is working with you rather than against you. The Reformer really is a game-changer for midlife women – gentle when you need it, powerful when you’re ready.

If you’re curious, come and try Golden Bloom at Bloom Reformer Studio Mickleover – your joints will thank you!  I work for the studio for this class, so to book you need to go to their website and you will find my classes on Tuesdays, 12 & 1pm and Wednesdays 11.30am.  If you are not a midlife woman, but would still like to take a class with me I also do a beginners session on Wednesdays at 12.30pm (in your lunch break!)  BOOK HERE

I’m Sue, founder of Alive Fitness, where I help midlife and post-menopausal women feel stronger, healthier, and more confident through movement, mindset, and simple nutrition. You’ll usually find me teaching Pilates, yoga or strength, or over on Instagram sharing everyday tips for thriving in menopause and beyond.

Mat Classes at Alive Pilates

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There’s something different about a mat class at Alive Fitness. Yes, we stretch, strengthen and move – but it’s about so much more than exercise. My classes are designed for midlife and post-menopausal women who want to feel good in their bodies, improve posture, and build strength where it really matters. Every session is tailored to help with balance, core stability, flexibility and those niggles we all get in our shoulders, hips and knees.

The beauty of mat-based Pilates and yoga is that it’s low impact yet highly effective – you’ll feel stronger without being battered and bruised. We take time to focus on the small things: breathing well, releasing tension, moving joints through their full range. It’s those details that make everyday life easier – bending, lifting, walking tall.

But the reason no one ever leaves? It’s the atmosphere. Classes are friendly, supportive, and welcoming. There’s laughter as well as hard work, and everyone feels part of something. It’s not about competition, it’s about community. Women stay because they feel better, move better, and enjoy being with people who understand their stage of life.

Come for the exercise, stay for the feeling. That’s the Alive Fitness difference.  If there ARE any spaces I will show them on the Classes Page.  Find it HERE

Well-Being Retreat Days for Midlife Women

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I’m Sue, founder of Alive Fitness, where I help midlife and post-menopausal women feel stronger, healthier, and more confident through movement, mindset, and simple nutrition. You’ll usually find me teaching Pilates, yoga or strength, or over on Instagram sharing everyday tips for thriving in menopause and beyond. Come and say hello There’s something truly special about stepping away from the busyness of everyday life and giving yourself a whole day just for you. That’s exactly what our Well-Being Day Retreats are all about. Designed especially for midlife and beyond women, they’re a chance to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with both body and mind.

We bring together everything you need for a reset – movement, mindfulness, nourishing food, and a big dose of connection with like-minded women who “get it.” You’ll leave feeling lighter, calmer, and re-energised, with practical tips you can carry back into your daily life. Many women tell me it’s the highlight of their year – their non-negotiable “me time.”

The retreats do sell out fast (no surprise really – we all need this!), so if you’d love to join us in 2026, now’s the time to get in early. By signing up for our priority list, you’ll get first access to the dates before they go public, giving you the best chance to book your spot.

Don’t wait for “someday” – gift yourself the space to pause, reset, and thrive. Your future self will thank you.  SIGN UP HERE

I’m Sue, founder of Alive Fitness, where I help midlife and post-menopausal women feel stronger, healthier, and more confident through movement, mindset, and simple nutrition. You’ll usually find me teaching Pilates, yoga or strength, or over on Instagram sharing everyday tips for thriving in menopause and beyond. Come and say hello on .  INSTAGRAM

Starting to Get Fit in Your 50s – Why September is the Perfect Time

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So, you’ve hit your 50s and suddenly realised that the aches, stiffness and creeping waistline aren’t going anywhere on their own. You’re not alone! Many women I meet tell me they’ve not done anything for years – life, work, family, menopause – it all takes priority. But here’s the truth: it’s never too late to start, and September is the perfect time to do it.

Why September? Well, it has that lovely “back to school” energy. Summer holidays are over, routines are settling back down, and there’s a fresh feeling in the air. It’s the ideal month to reset, refocus and put you back on the list. Forget January resolutions – they’re cold, gloomy and rarely stick. September, on the other hand, feels like a natural new beginning.

Now, I know the thought of starting can feel daunting. Maybe you’ve not exercised in decades, or perhaps your joints, balance and energy feel like they’re working against you. That’s exactly why I created the Menofit Club – an online Pilates and strength community specifically designed for women in midlife and beyond. No shouting bootcamps, no complicated gym equipment – just safe, effective sessions you can do at home with guidance and support.

Each week we run two live classes:

  • Strength & Cardio to build muscle, boost bone health and keep your heart strong.

  • Pilates, Yoga & Mindfulness to ease stiffness, calm the mind and improve balance.

It’s a space for real women – women who might be carrying a bit of extra weight, struggling with sleep, or wondering how to feel themselves again post-menopause. You don’t need to be fit to join. You just need to be ready to take that first step.

The benefits of starting now are huge. Regular strength and Pilates sessions improve mobility, protect against osteoporosis, support weight management, and even boost brain health – something we all want to protect as we age. And the best part? You’ll feel stronger, more energetic and more you again.

So if September feels like your “back to school” moment, don’t put it off. Join us in the Menofit Club and discover just how much better your 50s (and beyond!) can feel when you start moving with intention.

Join NOW (£5.04 per week)

Why Do I feel Anxious first thing in the mornings?

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Morning anxiety is a common experience for menopausal women due to several factors:

  1. Hormonal Fluctuations: During menopause, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate, which can impact neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood. This hormonal imbalance can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, particularly in the morning when cortisol levels are naturally higher.
  2. Sleep Disruptions: Menopause often brings sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or night sweats. Poor sleep quality can result in waking up feeling tired and anxious, as the body hasn’t had sufficient rest to manage stress effectively.
  3. Physical Symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, and other physical symptoms of menopause can be distressing and uncomfortable, contributing to a heightened state of anxiety upon waking.
  4. Stress and Lifestyle Factors: Menopause often coincides with significant life changes, such as children leaving home, aging parents, or career shifts. These stressors can compound morning anxiety, as the mind may race with worries and to-do lists as soon as the day begins.
  5. Health Concerns: The changes in the body during menopause can lead to increased health concerns, which can fuel anxiety. Concerns about weight gain, heart health, and bone density may contribute to a heightened sense of unease.

Understanding these factors can help in managing morning anxiety. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, and setting positive intentions can be particularly beneficial in creating a calm and balanced start to the day.

 

 

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Zen Week Who is it for?

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5 Reasons for a Menofit Woman to Attend Zen Week

Are you a woman navigating the transformative journey of menopause? Embrace the change with grace and balance by joining our upcoming Zen Week. This unique online event, starting Tuesday, 25th June at 8am, is designed to enhance your well-being through daily yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Here are five compelling reasons why Zen Week is perfect for you:

  1. Find Your Inner Calm Menopause can bring a whirlwind of emotions and stress. Zen Week offers daily guided meditations and mindfulness practices to help you find your inner calm. These sessions will teach you how to center yourself, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of peace throughout your day.
  3. Improve Flexibility and Physical Comfort Gentle yoga sessions every morning are tailored to enhance flexibility and ease any physical discomfort associated with menopause. These 15-minute routines are easy to follow and designed to make your body feel more fluid and comfortable, improving your overall mobility and well-being.
  4. Set Positive Intentions Each session begins with setting a daily intention, helping you start your day with a clear and positive mindset. This practice not only boosts your motivation but also aligns your actions with your goals and values, making each day more purposeful and fulfilling.
  5. Learn Lifelong Skills Zen Week is not just about immediate relief; it’s about equipping you with lifelong skills. You’ll learn how to meditate effectively, practice mindfulness, and incorporate gentle yoga into your daily routine. After the 7 days, you’ll have lifetime access to the yoga videos, allowing you to continue these beneficial practices whenever you need.
  6. Build a Supportive Community Joining Zen Week means becoming part of a community of like-minded women who understand and share your experiences. The group mindset coaching sessions provide a platform to connect, share, and support each other, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual encouragement.

For just £39, you can transform your mornings and set a positive tone for your entire day. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to rejuvenate your mind and body. Sign up for Zen Week and embark on a journey towards greater balance and well-being.

Feel free to join us and discover the many benefits Zen Week has to offer. Your path to serenity and strength begins here!

BOOK HERE

Why sleep is sooo important for 40 and 50+ Women

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Do you regularly wake up early and can’t get back to sleep?

Are you just longing for a GOOD nights sleep so you can actually do something productive during the day?

Sleep is SO important for us when we reach our 40’s and 50’s, here’s why:

  • Your body repairs itself at night. If you are not sleeping you will gain weight, be moody and increase your risk for all sorts of chronic diseases. Researchers looked at how sleep patterns affected the mortality of more than 10,000 British civil servants over two decades. The results, published in 2007, showed that those who had cut their sleep from 7 to 5 hours or fewer a night nearly doubled their risk of death from all causes. In particular, lack of sleep doubled the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

And cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of post-menopausal women.

  • Sleep plays a critical role in thinking and learning. Lack of sleep interrupts these processes. First, it impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving. This makes it more difficult to learn efficiently.
    Various sleep cycles play a role in “consolidating” memories in the mind. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to remember what you learned and experienced during the day.
  • Lack of sleep makes you fat. Grehlin and leptin are the hormones that tell your brain if you’re hungry or full. Sleep deprivation has been shown to completely disrupt the way these work. Also, cortisol levels go down when we are asleep (it’s part of the repair process). If they are high at night, your body thinks it’s under stress and hangs onto fat. All of this leads to insulin resistance.
  • During and beyond menopause the body is compromised due to the changing and declining hormones.  This can effect our sleep patterns and effect the quality of our sleep.

What can we do?:

  1. Beware of caffeine. We all love caffeine; it is the world’s favorite drug. Depending on your genetics, it has a half-life of around 8 hours. There are some people who have very low tolerance for caffeine and should avoid it altogether, and other very rare people who allegedly can have a coffee before bed and sleep soundly. For most of us, noon is a good cutoff for our favorite beverage.
  2. Beware of alcohol. Initially it may be relaxing, but even small amounts of alcohol may cause a re-bound effect which can lead to waking up in the middle of the night. Night caps are so 1960.
  3. Create a sleep ramp to take you from your active day to a restful sleep. Our brains do not come wired with an instant off switch, so we need to slowly ramp down. For most people, this is a 2 or 3 hour process. Sure, we can try doing highly mentally engaging work right up until brushing our teeth pre-sleep; however, there is a very good chance we either won’t be able to fall asleep or we will wake up in the middle of the night with a very active brain. Let’s create a nightly routine to let go of the day, and to leave its problems and issues until tomorrow. We will be able to attend to them much more effectively if we are fresh. Let’s wind it down: read some fiction, take a bath, go for a walk, listen to music, go out to dinner, watch a movie. You will know what works for you.