Last week, I heard a term I hadn’t heard of before: the “pink tax.”
It’s the idea that products and services marketed specifically to women often cost more than similar ones marketed to men. From razors to deodorant to hair products, the same basic item, just packaged differently, can come with a higher price tag.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized there’s another version of the pink tax that doesn’t get talked about enough. It shows up in the health and fitness world. It’s the constant stream of quick-fix programs, detox teas, expensive supplements, and “bounce-back” plans marketed to women, especially during pregnancy and after having a baby.
It’s the pressure to look a certain way, feel a certain way, or get your body back as fast as possible.
And I saw that world up close when my wife, Morgan, went through pregnancy and postpartum.
A Strong Foundation Before Pregnancy
Morgan has always been active. Before pregnancy, she trained consistently, took care of her nutrition, and built real strength. Not for aesthetics. Not for social media. But for life.
So when we found out we were expecting, the goal wasn’t to stop training. It was to keep moving, keep adapting, and keep doing what had already been working.
There was no big dramatic plan. No expensive programs. No “pregnancy transformation” package. No special powders, teas, or gimmicks.
Just consistent, coached training.
Four Days a Week, All the Way Through
Throughout her entire pregnancy, Morgan came to the gym at least four days a week.
Not to crush herself.
Not to set records.
Not to prove anything.
She came to move, stay strong, and stay connected to her routine and community.
Some days looked different:
- Lighter weights
- Shorter workouts
- More mobility
- Modified movements
But the important thing was this: she kept showing up.
That consistency:
- Helped her maintain strength
- Kept her energy levels higher
- Supported her mental health
- Built confidence in her body’s ability to handle pregnancy and birth
She didn’t chase trends.
She didn’t jump from program to program.
She didn’t fall for the pink tax of quick fixes.
She trusted the process.
A Healthy, Beautiful Delivery
We were incredibly fortunate.
Morgan had a healthy, at-home birth with no complications. It was calm, strong, and natural. One of the most powerful things I’ve ever witnessed.
Now, I’m not saying fitness guarantees a perfect pregnancy or delivery. Every woman’s experience is different, and there are many factors involved.
But I truly believe that her consistent training, strength, and overall health played a huge role in how prepared her body was for that moment.
She didn’t just look strong.
She was strong.
The Postpartum Pressure
After a baby is born, the pink tax often shows up even louder.
Social media is full of:
- “Get your body back in 6 weeks”
- Postpartum detox plans
- Expensive wraps, creams, and programs
- Influencers selling the latest miracle solution
It’s a billion-dollar industry built around one message:
“You’re not good enough yet. Buy this.”
But Morgan didn’t go down that road.
There was no rush.
No crash programs.
No extreme dieting.
No magic products.
Instead, she did what she had always done:
- Came back when her body was ready
- Started slow
- Focused on core strength and alignment
- Trained with intention
- Stayed consistent
The Real Secret: Consistency Over Time
There’s nothing flashy about it.
No viral transformation.
No dramatic “before and after” reveal.
No 30-day shred.
Just:
- Four days a week
- Smart coaching
- Scaled workouts
- A supportive community
- Patience
And that’s what actually works.
That’s what builds:
- Real strength
- Real endurance
- Real confidence
- A body that can carry, lift, play, and live
The Opposite of the Pink Tax
The pink tax in fitness says:
- Buy this program.
- Try this supplement.
- Follow this influencer.
- Fix yourself fast.
But real fitness says:
- Show up.
- Move your body.
- Get coaching.
- Stay consistent.
- Trust the process.
Morgan’s story isn’t about a quick fix.
It’s about a long-term investment in health.
And the return on that investment?
- A strong pregnancy
- A healthy delivery
- A confident return to training
- And a powerful example for our daughter to grow up seeing
A Message to Every Mom (or Future Mom)
If you’re pregnant, thinking about pregnancy, or navigating postpartum, here’s the truth:
You don’t need the expensive programs.
You don’t need the miracle products.
You don’t need to rush your body.
You need:
- Coaching
- Community
- Consistency
- And patience
That’s how real strength is built.
And that’s how you avoid the real pink tax in fitness.
If you’d like help building strength for pregnancy, postpartum, or just life in general, we’d love to talk.
Set up a No Sweat Intro and we’ll help you find the right path forward, one consistent step at a time.
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