Saturday 10th January 2026 • Promotional Content


Health, Fitness & Beauty New Year, New You Menopause made me stronger


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How a community of women over 50 is redefining fitness, focusing on strength, confidence and long-term health over quick fixes


Every January brings the familiar cho- rus of “New Year, New You” promises: the quick fixes, detoxes and short- term goals. For many women over 50, however, the focus has shifted from trying to change who they are to building lasting strength for the years ahead. Tat’s the philosophy be- hind We Are Fit Attitude (WAFA), the women-only health and fitness club founded by Anna Jenkins in Tooting and online. Anna believes that fitness at this


stage of life should be about lasting confidence and independence, not temporary resolutions. “New year, be you,” she says. “It’s not about undoing Christmas or chasing a smaller body. It’s about playing the long game and being stronger for life.” For decades,


the fitness industry


sold women the idea of exercising to become less: fewer inches, lower calories, smaller jeans. But in recent years, a quiet revolution has taken place. Across the country, women in their fifties, sixties and beyond are discovering that exercise isn’t about shrinking; it’s about strength, stami- na and self-belief. Many of the club’s members begin


their journeys feeling uncertain or self-conscious. “So many women join us hating their bodies and what stares back in the mirror,” Anna says. “But within six weeks, something chang- es. Tey become less critical of them- selves, focusing more on how they feel: stronger, more capable, more at home in their bodies.” Te benefits extend far beyond


appearance. As exercise physiologist Dr Stacy Sims notes, strength training helps counter the natural loss of mus- cle and bone strength that accompa- nies menopause. Anna, 53, has spent the past two years navigating perimenopause


Join WAFA’s six-week strength programme designed for women over 50. Feel strong, confident and be you. Only better.


ANNA JENKINS


herself and knows first-hand how symptoms can influence energy and motivation. “As they creep in, it’s easy to find reasons to move less,” she says. “Strength training helps you stay mobile, balanced and independent. It keeps you moving through life.” For WAFA members, the rewards


are physical and emotional. Irena, 60, says: “You can’t stop ageing, but you can decide how you age, and I want to do it feeling strong.” Hazel, 62, recalls feeling “stiff, overweight and achy” before joining: “A year on, it’s trans- formed my life.” Routine and consist- ency matter, too. Rebecca, 58, adds: “One of my biggest achievements is that I’ve made strength training a habit. It’s just part of my day now.” At WAFA, women train using equip-


ment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands and body weight, no heavy barbells required. Sessions are adaptable for all abilities, wheth- er in-person or online. Anna explains: “It’s about gradual progression, not punishment. We start where each woman is and build from there.” Tis shift from cardio to strength


and function reflects a broader cul- tural change. Women who once felt sidelined in gyms are now gaining the confidence to step into the weights area. “It’s not just for gym bunnies or


Visit wearefitattitude.com, fill out the form and WAFA will be in touch


bros,” Anna says. “Tere’s still a way to go, but every time a woman lifts a weight, she helps change that story.” For women embracing their next


chapter, fitness isn’t about chasing youth or perfection. In a culture that can treat older women as fragile, reclaiming physical strength is em- powering. Many find joy in small but meaningful wins, like lifting a heavy suitcase into an overhead locker, getting up from the floor smoothly or simply feeling steadier on their feet. “I want to stay independent,” says Anna. “Tat’s the real meaning of fitness as we age, so don’t fear the weights area. Find a space that wel- comes you, and know that you belong there. Every woman deserves to grow stronger, one rep at a time.”


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