Women, skip the bro-split and try the flow-split

Exercise plans aligned to menstrual cycles can be effective for women

- Pulasta Dhar

An Instagram post I saw recently posed this question using clever gym jargon. A bro-split is a mostly male-driven division of workouts according to muscle groups or the way muscles move. A good example of this is having push-pull-legs or chest day, leg day, back day and so on. A flow-split—working out according to their menstrual cycle—is what a lot of trainers and even gynaecologists are suggesting women should try out these days. Much of this has to do with estrogen levels in the body.

"High estrogen levels make it easier for you to approach cardio and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) with more enthusiasm. During ovulation, when the body is getting ready to get pregnant, is when you will feel the fittest in your cycle," says Devika Chopra, who is an obstetrician and gynaecologist based in Mumbai.