The yoga study that investigated LH and FSH in adolescent girls with PCOS did find a decrease in LH and no change in FSH . The two studies examining the effects of PRT on women with PCOS did not find changes in FI or HOMA-IR 126,127,128, or did not investigate metabolic parameters . Protocols in case–control studies that used intensified exercise also resulted in greater GIR and lower FI 103,104,105 and HOMA-IR 103,105. Aerobic exercise is unlikely to impact androgens, although closely monitored exercise and/or long-term incorporation of aerobic exercise may provide some benefit. This suggests that exercises that promote muscle growth, particularly of glycolytic, fast-twitch muscle fibers, may result in the utilization of T and lower levels in the blood. When inflammatory particles are removed, it is easier for the body to build up testosterone naturally. Exercise decreases inflammation, which may increase testosterone. In addition, strength training supports the development of lean muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism. This explanation is less picky regarding the type of exercise and involves changes in body composition. In addition to the type of exercise, additional factors influence the temporary exercise testosterone boost. Endurance training generally refers to training the aerobic system instead of the anaerobic one. Vigorous aerobic exercise, especially when practiced consistently over the long-term and in conjunction with heart rate and/or VO2max monitoring, can improve measures of insulin sensitivity. Attrition rates tend to be high in long-term intervention studies such as yoga , so careful power analysis, recruitment, and retention will be needed in order to conduct such studies and complete a meaningful analysis of the data. RCTs that include a no intervention control group and exercise intervention group(s) are the gold standard for clinical investigations and are necessary to determine the impact of physical exercise on hormones related to PCOS presentation and pathology. Studies of HIIT and yoga have also yielded promising benefits with respect to androgens and insulin sensitivity, although larger and additional studies are required to confirm these findings. Taken together, these findings suggest that adolescent girls with PCOS and women with both obesity and PCOS may be less likely to exercise and may exercise less frequently and with lower intensity when they do. Finding the optimal balance means incorporating approximately 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity weekly while ensuring it complements rather than competes with your strength and HIIT protocols. Twenty-minute sprint-style workouts have been shown to elevate testosterone and growth hormone production significantly more than equivalent durations of steady-state cardio. Heavy compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses have consistently shown the greatest impact on testosterone production in men across numerous studies. Targeted workouts combined with regular laboratory feedback create a powerful framework for keeping hormones firing optimally and energy levels consistently high throughout life. We are now seeing a real shift in the demographics of those seeking Pilates to improve physical strength, flexibility and mental health. As mentioned early Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century and was often used by men to strengthen the body and improve their physical condition. As a General Practitioner with a specialist interest in hormone health and longevity medicine, Dr. Danielle Richards sees Pilates as a powerful tool to support men’s long-term health. This stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow, and blood circulation. Pilates focuses on developing dynamic strength, which means you are better able to support and stabilize your joints while moving. Muscles that are too loose and weak or too tight and rigid can make the body more susceptible to injury. Pilates balances the muscles of the body so that they are neither loose and weak nor tight and rigid. But, according to the study, the main positive to come from HIIT was an increase in insulin resistance, and insulin resistance is a major driver of many PCOS symptoms. This means that your body finds it harder to metabolise glucose and use it as energy, which means your body ends up producing more insulin and your blood sugar levels increase. Performing large volumes of jumping jacks at a fast pace can be a form of high-intensity functional training and can lead to an immediate increase in testosterone. There is evidence that physical activity can boost your testosterone levels, and that optimal levels of testosterone increases the efficiency of physical activity. Even for men in their 70s and 80s, resistance training has been shown to improve hormone profiles, though the percentage increase typically becomes smaller compared to younger individuals. The body’s hormonal systems respond best to cyclical training approaches rather than constant intensity, making planned recovery periods as important as the work itself for long-term hormonal health. Studies show that challenging strength workouts can cause a short-term rise in testosterone after exercise. Certain types of exercise are more likely to trigger short-term increases in testosterone. In other words, both men and women experience a testosterone response to exercise. During puberty, testosterone drives many physical changes in males, including increased muscle mass, facial and body hair growth, and a deeper voice. Some forms of exercise can temporarily boost testosterone, which helps support muscle repair, strength gains, and overall fitness. Exercise can increase testosterone (T) levels, but the type of workout you choose makes a difference. Your biological sex also influences how testosterone levels are affected. Larger studies, particularly those which allow subgroup analysis to determine the impact of age, BMI, and weight loss, are needed in order to better understand the impact of exercise on individuals and allow for more specific guidelines for patients of differing demographics. Given the particular importance of androgens and insulin in PCOS pathogenesis, future studies should focus on these as primary outcomes. Adolescents and patients with obesity should be screened for PCOS, and counseled to incorporate exercise activities that are accessible and enjoyable for them to increase their physical activity. In a survey addressing barriers to physical activity, women with PCOS were more likely to report a lack of confidence in maintaining physical activity and fear of injury compared with women without PCOS, and more women with PCOS reported a desire to control a medical condition as a motivation for exercise . A study of adolescent girls with or without PCOS found that those with the disorder were less physically active, including less frequent and lower intensity physical activity . In addition, women with PCOS who exercise more vigorously had better metabolic profiles than those with less intense exercise, including lower FI and HOMA-IR, as well as higher SHBG . Remember that hormonal health represents just one component of overall wellness, though one with far-reaching effects on virtually every bodily system. Consider retesting every 3-6 months or following significant program changes to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships between your training and hormonal status. This multi-faceted approach helps identify which specific training elements produce the most positive hormonal responses for your individual physiology. For meaningful analysis, track laboratory values alongside workout logs, body composition measurements (particularly visceral fat which heavily influences hormonal conversion), and daily journals recording mood, energy, and recovery metrics. These tests allow you to correlate training adjustments with measurable biochemical changes rather than relying solely on subjective feelings. Watch for performance plateaus, unusual irritability, or decreased libido—all potential indicators of hormonal disruption from excessive training stress. Recognizing the signs of overtraining proves crucial for maintaining hormonal balance.