Core workout with TruBe Trainer, Antoinette

Core workout with TruBe Trainer, Antoinette. Antoinette is a great advocate for fitness and has made it her personal mission to prove to you that fitness can come in many forms and that training doesn’t need to be restricted to the gym. Build strength, improve posture and increase mobility and flexibility all whilst having fun. This core workout with Antoinette made up of three of Antoinette’s go-to core exercises.

Core workout 1: 12 secs

Start on all fours, hands under shoulders with fingers spread wide and knees under hips, toes tucked under, spine neutral. 

Push the floor away with your hands.

Inhale prepare, exhale engage pelvic floor, squeeze abs and glutes, exhale lift knees just off the floor keeping the rest of the body as still as possible. Return knees to floor and repeat.

Aim for 8 reps, resting when you need to. 

Core workout 2: 18 seconds

Start on all fours, hands under shoulders with fingers spread wide and knees under hips, toes relaxed, spine neutral. 

Inhale prepare, exhale engage the pelvic floor, squeeze abs and glutes, exhale extend right leg behind, toe pointed. Squeeze right glute and right hamstring to lift right leg just off the floor, keep abs engaged for stability keeping the rest of the body as still as possible.  Don’t be tempted to arch the back to lift the leg higher.  Lift and lower for 4 – 8 reps.

Keep right leg extended behind and draw to the side and back for 4 – 8 reps, again keeping the rest of the body as still as possible.

Core workout 3: 14 seconds 

Start on all fours, hands under shoulders with fingers spread wide and knees under hips, toes tucked under, spine neutral. 

Push the floor away with your hands.

Inhale prepare, exhale engage pelvic floor, squeeze abs and glutes, exhale lift knees just off the floor keeping the rest of the body as still as possible. 

Step right foot back to the plank, step left foot back.  Step right foot in returning your knee under your hip keeping it off the floor.  Repeat with the left leg.  

Aim for 8 reps, resting when you need to.  Try placing a light block on your lower back for feedback, the block should stay stable and in place the whole time.

You can book with TruBe trainer Antoinette or any of our amazing TruBe trainers via www.trubeapp.com. TruBe sessions are delivered on a one-to-one basis in-person and virtually and range from Personal training and Boxing to Pilates and Yoga.

The ultimate Ski Trip Fitness guide

Sandy-Ski

Preparing for the slopes- TruBe Trainer Sandy Rowe

If you’ve never had the opportunity to ski, you’re in for a treat! 

Skiing is a great workout on your whole body, which also requires good mobility. A pair of ski boots weights between 3-5kg and that’s just moving around the resort. Add in the g-forces as you ski and you’ll need to make sure your legs are prepped for anything you decide to throw at them.

To start with I’ll use low weights and focus on stability within the joints. As your strength improves, so will the weights that you use. Your body will adjust to the load, so that by the time you reach the slopes, you’ll be ready for anything your instructor throws at you. Be that your first green run, progressing to a blue, red or even black run and maybe a few moguls added in for good measure!

At the end of every session I spend at least 10 minutes stretching. This maintains (and can improve your mobility), ensures that you flush out toxins from the body and leaves you feeling relaxed and refreshed from a workout. You can also have a chat to me about sports massage and how this would work for you before and during your time in the mountains.

If you do more than one discipline, please can break them down. As we may split the content depending on the discipline.

If you’re a regular skier, you’ll already know what ‘the burn’ feels like. Usually on the quads, glutes and core, especially if you’re travelling at speed and like to feel the grip on the slopes.

You want to make the most of your time on the slopes (and make it to après ski afterwards!), so it’s critical that you have the leg endurance to last the course of the day. If you’re anything like me, performance is everything when skiing and your body must be strong. The forces applied to your body through each turn, mean that lateral (sideways), rotational and forward focused exercises are key. Taking the body through the whole range of movement available allows your body to move in a similar way while skiing. If you’re looking to euro-carve on the slopes, you’ll need this!

By strengthening the core, this will stop you collapsing at the bottom of the turn and be able to spring into the next turn. The strength you’ll have built in your legs will propel you down the slopes like a gazelle and you’ll feel energised at the end of the day.

Ski Ski Ski Ski Ski Ski

I’d recommend at least 4 weeks of training prior to your ski trip, with 2 sessions per week. During week 1 your body will get prepped for exercise (there may be a little muscle soreness). Weeks 2-3 you’ll build on the strength from week 1 and start to see improvements in not only strength, but also flexibility. Week 4 you’ll test your strength, consolidate your skills from the first 3 weeks, mobilise and taper ready for your holiday.

All about the glutes

It’s often said that we do too much sitting, reducing the mobility and strength of this muscle. This can be seen when skiing. If you struggle to grip the ski on the snow, or your knees knock together during the turn, it’s highly likely that the glutes are causing the issue.

Test your reactions

If you’re skiing through moguls, trees or even negotiating a narrower slope, you’ll need to have good reaction times so you can turn as you need. It’s often very busy on the slopes and good reactions can be the difference between staying on your feet and going down.

Balance is key

Walking around with an extra 2kg attached to your feet can offset your balance. Add on the weight of a ski and binding, and you’re looking at 4kg per ski. Add in speed, obstacles (and by that I mean other skiers) and steeps and you need to make sure that under weight, you have the strength to maintain your balance and separate upper from lower body movements.

Rotational movement

Two of the key areas I work on with skiers are separation and pivoting. Both of these movements come from the hip and revolve around hip mobility, leg and core strength. These are often overlooked when prepping for skiing in favour of squats and lunges.

Ski Ski Ski Ski Ski Ski

How to recover

At least 500ml of water prior to an après beer. It’s often difficult to stop for long periods of time in the mountains, however, at altitude humans lose a greater percentage of hydration. If you are 1-2% dehydrated, your performance decreases by up to 25%. Therefore, while you’re ordering that first beer or mulled wine, ask for a glass of water at the same time.

A minimum of 10 minutes stretching every day. This will maintain the length of your muscles and make you feel less sore the following day.

A good sports massage through the legs. There really is nothing quite like the new leg feeling after a good sports massage. Your legs will be thankful for it the following day. Look at getting this half way through your week or immediately after your trip.

A rest day. This isn’t always possible for everyone, however, half way through the week, think about potentially having a rest day. Trust me, this is easier said than done (and make sure it’s not on the day the new powder lands!), however, your body will thank you for it.

Reduce the risk of injury

Sleep is when our bodies recover from the daily activity, so aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep every night. By getting in 8 hours of sleep, you’ll avoid stiff and sore muscles, which don’t react as well and can increase your risk of injury.

I know this is a holiday and you want to enjoy it, however, think about keeping your alcohol intake to 1-2 glasses per day. Alcohol is more potent at altitude, inhibits REM sleep (which is the restful part) and also inhibits muscle growth. It can also give you a really sore head the next day, which isn’t much fun on a ski holiday!

Nutritional advice


Food in the mountains is notoriously nutritiously poor. I’m thinking tartiflette, pizza, cheese, red meat, wine, beer and the list continues. Before you go, think about upping your vegetable intake to help offset the lack of nutritious food available. Similarly, when you return, try to eat a more balanced diet with good vegetables, fruits, white fish and white meat to offset the fat content.

Mountain life usually involves a fair bit of saturated fat (cheese, meat, butter, croissants), so opt for porridge in the mornings. Oats help lower your cholesterol levels (produced by eating saturated fat) and will help keep you on an even kilter. They are also very filling and should keep you going until lunch time calls. Buy fruit at your local supermarket in the mountain and use these as your snacks throughout the day. I’m a big fan of apples and clementines, although the later do tend to get a little squashed throughout the day!

I burn approximately 2,500 calories per day in the mountains. This is approx. 2-300 calories less than I would if I was working as a trainer every day (I’m on my feet all day!), but 6-700 more than if I was sat at a desk every day (that’s a non-training day). So you may need to make sure you have enough fuel with your while you’re travelling around the mountain. Having a few snacks and some water will mean you’re always in a good frame of mind to make those quick reaction decisions. If you’re only out for half the day, this doesn’t mean you can over indulge!

Start your preparation

Book a ski inspired workout with one of our top personal trainers! One-to-one sessions will help transform you in a matter of weeks. Click here to start your journey.

You are ready to ski. Enjoy!

New Year, New Challenge

Challenge

The roaring 20’s are officially back, and what better time to master the art of mindfulness, after all it is the time of new beginnings. 

To help you get started, we wanted to share how the decade ahead has already begun to influence the latest trends in fitness to show how wellness is on the up. 

Bring back your balance

Finding the line between fitness and wellness will transform the way you approach your workouts. Meditation, Yoga and Pilates will help your body and mind work as one, giving you the energy required for your body to function at its fullest.

Dedicate time to your practice, and be guaranteed sustainable results that last a lifetime. Not to mention a daily boost.

Top tip: Be patient in your search, this practice can take many forms, it is important to find the flows that works for you.

Health as a priority

Healthy Food

As we strive to protect the planet we call our home, plant-based diets are on the rise. Proven to have significant benefits, if done correctly. If this is something you would like to explore, consider getting yourself a lifestyle coach to help guide you. By tailoring your diet specifically to your body, lifestyle, goals and requirements, you are much more likely to stick with it whilst maintaining full nutritional value.

Box and Kickboxing

Instead of taking the gloves off, why not put them on? With each hour of boxing, you can burn up to 800kcal! Energetic and dynamic movements, combined with boxing techniques, are a great way to start or end your day. The powerful, fast hits and jumps will liberate your mind, with each bead of sweat, you can expect the stress to wash away, detoxing your body and helping with blood circulation whilst lowering levels of stress.

Believe it or not, the more intense the session, the more relaxed you will feel.

HIIT

Yoga

As High Intensity Interval Training evolves, expect to see specialisms such as Yoga and Pilates incorporated into your sessions, a great addition for those those to burn calories, build strengthen and correct posture.

Achieving total mindfulness will set you free, give it a try and let us know what you think.

Fitness as a lifestyle

Personal trainers live and breath fitness, their passion is drawn from the success of others. They are a driving force there to set you on the right path, both mentally and physically. 

Focus on positive and sustainable results whilst removing the guesswork and dread associated to fitness. Major improvements can be made solely by perfecting your technique as part of an ongoing routine.

Positive experiences

London workout

Consider sharing your TruBe sessions with your closest friends, family members or colleagues. Be supported and motived as you bond through this unforgettable experience.

If you want to know more, get in touch with a member of the TruBe team today! We have a range of personal trainers, lifestyle coaches and massage therapists available to come to you, anytime, anywhere.

Your TruBe team.

Nutrition and fitness during the holidays

TruBe Trainer
The holiday season has landed and with Christmas around the corner, it’s certainly the most wonderful time of the year.
Winter, when the parties are in full swing, a chill is in the air and mulled wine and mince pies are in never ending supply, it’s no wonder many people are easily sidetracked from their fitness and nutrition goals. By the time January rolls around, that all too familiar sluggish feeling and few extra pounds hits us like a ton of bricks.This is one of many reasons not to toss away the daily routine in favour of overindulging. Maintaining a regular schedule will not only keep you on the straight and narrow, but, as mountains of research has revealed, will help promote optimal equilibrium in the mind and body. With a change of mindset, we can look at the holidays as a welcome opportunity to spend time on your personal goals.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind during the holidays:

 

Set boundaries, and stick to them.

The holidays may be an excuse to have fun, but they shouldn’t be an excuse to let the diet pendulum to the extreme. Setting goals, writing them down and visualising your boundaries, especially during difficult situations where food is in copious amounts, is vital for keeping our calories intake under control. Perhaps it’s avoiding sweet trays at Christmas parties, skipping alcohol on nights out or adding an additional training session to your workouts – your goal is to practice self-discipline and meet your self-expectations. That feeling of achievement is worth it every time.

On the subject of alcohol…

It’s a time to be merry and celebrate the festivities whilst being mindful of the effects of consuming high volumes of alcohol. With one large glass of wine amounting to 185 calories and a pint of beer at over 200 calories, a few drinks go a long way in contributing to the daily calorie intake. Worst of all, studies have shown the possible added side effect of increased appetite and cravings from alcoholic beverages. Avoid the downward spiral by reining in the drinking and soaking up the festive fun and spirit instead.

Maintain an exercise schedule.

During the holidays, with more time on our hands, there is a tendency to move less and lounge more, resulting in fatigue. Combat this by making a conscious effort to move the body more throughout the day. TruBe trainers remain and the great outdoors awaits, so breathe in the fresh air as you are guided towards your goals with simple movements inspired by all things festive.

Crunched for time? Try this no equipment, no fuss, at-home 30 minute workout to fire up the muscles and get the heart rate up.

HIIT (3 rounds, 40 seconds on/20 seconds off)

  • Burpees
  • Mountain climbers
  • Alternating lunge kicks
  • Push ups with shoulder taps
  • Jump squats

Conditioning (3 rounds)

  • 25 squats
  • 30 alternating back lunges
  • 30 plank taps (tap the hand one at a time in front)
  • 20 tricep dips
  • 30 courtesy lunges

Core focus (3 rounds)

  • 30 oblique twists
  • 20 alternating single leg raises
  • 40 second forearm plank
Key tip – spend 5 minutes on dynamic stretching and a cool down incorporating static stretches.


It’s not all or nothing

We have all been there – breakfast starts off well but then things goes awry by lunch, and so follows an unhealthy pattern for the remainder of the day. Kick this vicious cycle to the curb by remembering there is leeway in our daily food intake, where we can and should savour a treat now and again. When it comes to diet, veering off course is part of the journey. Get back on track by preparing a healthy meal for dinner. The golden rule to remember during this time of year is eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed.

Drink more water

Healthy skin, improved digestion, blood pressure regulation and a host of other benefits arise from the simple act of drinking water. Just a 2% decrease in the body’s water balance can bring about an onset of unpleasant symptoms from dehydration. It’s especially true during the holidays when we are more likely to overload our bodies with excess sugar and alcohol. Keep the system moving, the mind sharp, and ward off those pesky headaches by guzzling least two litres of water daily, as recommended by the Eatwell Guide UK.

Practice mindfulness

The holidays are a busy, hectic and somewhat stressful period, where jam packed schedules and a lack of routine can overwhelm. Take a few minutes every morning and once throughout the day to practice mindfulness and self-compassion, which helps to keep everything at balance. At its core, the holidays are a time for spending with loved ones, giving back to others and celebrating the true essence of Christmas.

Enjoy all that it brings as you gear up for a successful 2020 ahead

Happy holidays!

With thanks to, TruBe Trainer: Leoni J., level 3 personal trainer, specialising with clients new to fitness.

TruBe Trainer

 

TruBe- SkyGarden Sunrise Yoga

Join us on the 36th floor!

SkyGarden is the perfect setting for Sunrise Yoga not to mention the session is then followed by a delicious breakfast.

Feel uplifted

Vinyasa style yoga is not only designed to suit a broad range of abilities, the art will help wake up your body and mind with ease, take a breath and be in the moment, there is no better way to prepare yourself for the day ahead. Stand strong, be free and stay true.

‘Very good experience in London ! Very good teacher and excellent breakfast. Of course, an amazing view. Don’t miss it !’

Yoko Kuide (Left), Anna Norbury (Right)

Bucket list

London life is fast paced, demanding and full of opportunities, we are here to motivate you to seize each and everyone! Take the plunge and try something truly inspiring.

‘It was a truly amazing experience. As soon as it finished I wanted to book it again for the following week.’

Nadezhda Bocheva

Get a high

Our mission to ensure each and everyone of our customers has the best experience, that each user will have a positive fitness journey, helping you set clear goals that are personal and achievable. Our extensive network will encourage you to reach new heights and help you learn more about your abilities, all you have to do is select your team mate. Once you have taken the first step the rest will come naturally.

‘TruBe’s trainers are fun, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable! Such a great resource for anyone wanting to get fit but not sure how to or what kind of exercise they like. So many different things to try and extremely flexible!’

Get in touch to find out more. 

Your TruBe team.