Most of us have heard about cortisol, the stress hormone, and the negative affects it can have on our body. 

And while it’s true, cortisol can have negative consequences on our health, there are also a few common myths about the hormone.

One of them is a (false) belief held by many women that they should avoid high-intensity training, especially as they age, as it increases cortisol, and this only adds to their “already stressed out state,” explains Dr. Stacy Sims in her article.

Simply put, this is not true, Dr. Sims reiterates.

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Understanding Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that your body “uses to mobilize the resources it needs for action, specifically to respond to stress,” Dr. Sims explained. 

• In other words, when you experience stress, be if physiological stress like an injury or sickness, or psychological stress like anxiety, your brain sends a message to your adrenal glands to secrete cortisol to help diffuse the situation, so to speak. 

If you have chronic stress, that’s when problems can arise. In fact, it is linked to various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, to name a few.

OK, so how does this relate to high intensity exercise?

Dr Sims explains that, yes exercise is also a form of stress on your body, but in a healthy way as it “essentially makes us more stress resilient,” she explained. 

• “Yes, HIIT does increase cortisol (like all exercise), but because it is such a strong stress to the body, the body responds in kind to reduce baseline cortisol levels with chronic exposure to high intensity,” she says.

The Bottom line is: “There’s no need to essentially make yourself less fit, strong, and healthy by avoiding high intensity exercise. Embrace those sprint training sessions not just for less stress, but for a fitter, healthier life,” Dr. Sims says. 

• “Exercise is not the enemy here; and when done well, it’s really the hero of this story.” 

HIIT is just one part of what we do at Empower. 

Our programs also include strength training, sprint intervals, conditioning, breath work, pelvic floor training and plyometrics, providing you with a balanced fitness program designed by women who understand your needs.