Category: Health & Fitness

Anyone else noticed that reformer Pilates studios are popping up about the place more frequently than babies in your Facebook feed recently? Don’t get me wrong, I L O V E reformer, but it can be hard to know which studios are the real deal, and which you’d be better off steering clear of. Well never fear, today I bring you three Reformer Pilates studios in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney that you need to try.

VIVE ACTIVE // Double Bay
If you’ve ever thought that Pilates was too low-energy for you, this is the studio to get into. VIVE ACTIVE has just opened in Double Bay (they have another studio in Brookvale for you Northern Beaches peeps) and their classes are filling up so fast I couldn’t get in last weekend! Think high energy Pilates with epic beats, seriously passionate trainers, and choreography that’s designed to get you the results you crave. Oh and I almost forgot the mirrored ceilings, which may sound a little rent-by-the-hour motel, but are actually ahh-mazing and very helpful for helping with form throughout the class. A beautifully designed studio and gorgeous, well-stocked change rooms are a given for the area.

What else? VIVE ACTIVE run VIVE After Dark, a free monthly wellness seminar that focuses on topics like meditation, nutrition and gut health.

Fluidform // Waterloo and Clovelly
I like to think of Fluidform as Pilates the way Joseph Pilates intended it to be. I started at the Waterloo studio when i found out I was pregnant with Alfie, and I don’t think I’ve ever had an instructor who understands the human body like Fluidform founder Kirstin King. They run group classes, but (in my opinion) the real value is in their ‘studio equipment classes’; small group sessions (maximum of four in Waterloo and three in Clovelly) that are more intimate, allowing the instructor to individualise your session for you. At Fluidform, movements are energetic and effective, but always controlled. Think full body strengthening and conditioning, helping your muscles to grow longer and leaner.

What else? Fluidform at Home is an online program that includes access to a workout library with new workouts added each month, monthly live chat with Kirsten, monthly live stream from an in-studio class and more.

One Hot Yoga // Potts Point
My love for reformer Pilates first surfaced at One Hot Yoga, about two years ago. Sure I’d dabbled before, but this was that early days of romance, can’t-get-enough-of-you, miss-you-when-you’re-gone kind of love. If you’re looking for lots of class options, experienced instructors and a beautiful studio, then this is the place for you. Class sizes are on the large side which can make it more difficult to keep on top of form, but the instructors are all friendly, so don’t be afraid to put up your hand to ask for help! And If you want something a little more personalised, they’ve recently introduced ‘studio Pilates sessions’ (which look similar to Fluidform’s offering) but I’ve never tried them so can’t comment on what they’re like!

What else? Well yoga, duh. One Hot Yoga offers a ‘One Hot Everything’ membership that gives you access to all reformer and mat Pilates group classes, plus all yoga classes.

The post 3 Reformer Pilates studios you need to try appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

You’re working out on the reg, but for some reason still not seeing the results you want. Well that doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Here’s a few of the most common ways you might be sabotaging your workouts, along with some simple fixes. Recognise any of them? Yah, me too .

Always taking the most advanced option
I was in a Reformer Pilates class the other day and the instructor was giving us spring/difficulty options. Now as you know, I’ve only recently got back into the swing of exercise, so let’s just say that choosing the most difficult option would not have been a smart choice. I chose it anyway. The problem, as I was soon reminded, is that when you choose an option that’s too much of a stretch for you, you risk not going to be able to do the exercise properly. At best, this decreases the likelihood of getting results, and at worst, increases your risk of injury. Yes, I did sheepishly reduce my spring load.
The fix? Stop letting your pride get in the way, and work to a level where you can keep good form and control.

Not doing something you enjoy
I firmly believe that the best form of exercise is the exercise that you’ll actually do. Let’s be realistic; if you *hate* the gym there’s no way you’re going to keep showing up week after week. If you spend almost every moment of that yoga class wishing it was over (oh pick me, pick me!) then you’re probably better off choosing something else.
The fix? Search and ye shall find! Get out and try a bunch of different classes. Or grab your mates and head to the park, the pool, the running track. Download a workout app. Or trawl my Lazy Girl Fitness workout section. There are so many options out there, you’re bound to find something you enjoy.

Skipping the warm up
Yes yes it’s a squeeze to fit in a workout on your lunch break, I know. But spending a few minutes getting your body moving can help to get that oxygen flowing to your muscles a little faster, reduce your risk of injury and help you mentally prepare for what’s ahead.
The fix? Look it depends on the workout, but I suggest trying something simple like fast feet, side lunges or walk outs, followed by working through some of the exercises in your workout at a slow, controlled pace. Once you’re feeling warmer, try something a little high intensity, such as high knees or shuttle runs, and you’ll be ready to go!

You set unrealistic goals… or no goals at all
We all need goals to keep us motivated. Without them, you might show up, but chances are you’ll just be going through the motions. And on the flip side, if your goal is so far outside the realms of possibility that it’s unhealthy, you’ll get de-motivated pretty quickly and things will grind to a halt.
The fix: Choose a goal that is aspirational, but attainable. Then choose some mini goals that will help you get to the big goal. Measure your progress, and reward yourself when you reach a goal.

Not eating well
Running a marathon on one of the ‘2’ days of your 5:2 diet really isn’t a good idea. Likewise an intense HIIT session on a stomach full of fish and chips probably isn’t going to help you get the most out of your workout. Extreme examples, sure, but the moral is the same: if you want to make the most of your workouts, make sure you fuel your body well.
The fix? Keep your diet full of real foods – the less packaged, the better! And when it comes to pre and post-workout fuel, it will depend on when you’re working out and what sort of workout you’re doing. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so take a little time to figure out what works best for you and your body.

Too many high intensity workouts
God I used to be so bad at this. I was definitely in the ‘more is more’ camp, when it comes to working out… the harder and more often, the better! But here’s a newsflash younger-Jess: your body needs rest days. Without rest days, your body doesn’t actually have time to repair and re-build, which means all that hard work is going to waste!
The fix? Factor in a couple of days off each week. Use these days to get out for a nice walk, do some mindfulness, or try a gentle stretch session at home.

Make sense Team? Excellent. Now stop sabotaging your workouts, and go forth and conquer those goals!

xx

The post 6 ways you might be sabotaging your workouts appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.

Don’t judge me, but I’ve been known to show up late to a social occasion (ok… or not show up at all) to ensure I didn’t miss my daily exercise, whether it be Pilates, a run or a quick 20 minute workout. Yep exercise and fitness has always been a priority for me… or at least that was the case until Alfie was born. As I mentioned in this post, I expected to return to exercise a few weeks after giving birth. Oh bless me and my naivety. And then when my body finally was keen, my mind still wasn’t ready to get back on the horse (or Reformer, as it were).

Anyway, my point is that there will always be times in your life when exercise takes a back seat, whether that’s because you’ve had a baby, got too much going on at work, a hectic social calendar, or, heaven forbid, you just need a break.  And that’s ok. But when you do feel like getting back into it, there are a few ways to get yourself back on track, starting with making a plan that’s easy to stick to.

This 20 minute workout should be part of that plan. It’s designed to be done at home without weights, but you can challenge yourself by using dumbbells (or even dry goods from the pantry!) if you like.

The workout

Circuit 1:
2 sets | 45 seconds per exercise | 30 seconds rest between sets 

Hip raises
Push ups
Squat hold
High knees
Reverse crunches

Circuit 2:
2 sets | 45 seconds per exercise | 30 seconds rest between sets 

Reverse lunges
Plank
Squats
Bicycle
Step ups (use a stable chair or low table)

Time-based workouts are my go-to when I’m busy or just feeling unmotivated. They’re easier to plan my life around, plus I find it easily to mentally prepare when I know exactly how long I’ll be working out for!

Hope you enjoy this one Team, it’s good to be back.

The post The 20 minute workout that you can do anywhere appeared first on Lazy Girl Fitness.