Anyone who’s ever had a period knows that the accompanying mood swings, fatigue, and cramps can be rough. Of course, everyone is different, and your mileage may vary, but if you do suffer from severe symptoms, it can be hard to drag yourself off the couch for literally any reason – including your workout.
However, it’s well-known that exercise can actually improve those annoying cramps you get during your period. But if you’re sitting there thinking, “HIIT class? No thanks!” hear me out: The key to both feeling a little better and optimizing your workout may simply be paying attention to your cycle—and making a few strategic tweaks to the way you exercise during certain weeks.