Summer means swimwear and skimpy clothing. As it fast approaches, everyone starts the annual panic of how to get summer ready – here’s how to stop thinking and start doing to get in tip top condition for when the temperature starts to sizzle…
- Make sure you include a mixture of HIIT and weighted resistance into your workouts. The cardio is great for fat burning and cardio respiratory health but the resistance will turn your body into a fat burning machine post workout. A winning combination!
- Find a friend! Buddy up with someone and your workouts will not only become more fun but you’ll also have someone to keep you on track. Another great way is to join a fitness class like Barry’s that has a strong community to support you through your exercise journey.
- Split training. Work a different muscle group each day so that you are never too fatigued to exercise. At Barry’s, every day focuses on a different group, for example arms and abs one day and butt and legs another day.
- Don’t be afraid to lift heavy girls. Challenging your muscles with heavier weights won’t turn you into Schwarzenegger it will make you lean and make your body more efficient at burning fat. In a typical Barry’s class you should be exhausting the muscle group to failure and have to take breaks. If you don’t have to stop and recharge the weights are too light!!
- Make sure you are fuelling your body sufficiently so you see results! Get protein in after class or lifting. You need to repair the muscles you’ve been working so they can burn fat for you. Fasted exercise works for some and burns more calories but you need to make sure you have the energy to push yourself.
If you are lacking energy listen to your body and get some good carbs in, whole wheat, brown rice or sweet potatoes, before class so you can lift heavier and run faster.
Anya Lahiri, Barry’s Bootcamp Master Trainer and Nike NTC Elite Trainer, www.barrysbootcamp.com.