MARIA'S FITNESS BLOG
REST, REST, REST
Rest days are essential to building muscle!
When we exercise, we are breaking down muscle fibres with each rep and these muscles only start to grow when they are recovering. You can implement this by creating a good sleep schedule and scheduling rest days 2/3 days a week. On 'Rest' days, go for a walk, have a little stretch and eat well ready to get back on with your training for the rest of the week. NEVER feel guilty for taking a day off!
HIIT VS LONG DISTANCE CARDIO
High Intensity Interval Training has taken off in the past few years as clients discover they can get great results from short (30-45min) high intensity workouts in comparison to hours on a treadmill. HIIT works on both cardio and muscular endurance - and when coupled with adequate strength training it can have a fantastic effect on overall physical health! My top tip is to always do every form of exercise in moderation (unless you're training to be a pro). Mix HIIT with Strength/Yoga/Pilates etc.
Balance is the key to a healthy life!
JOINTS AND INJURY PREVENTION
Being a dancer, I have experienced my fair share of injuries over the years.
The majority of these were down to postural imbalances and common weaknesses in key muscle groups. Why does this matter you ask? Each part of our body is connected to another (usually in pairs) - if the abdominals are weak, the lower back compensates by taking the load and causing pain. We can prevent these kinds of injuries, this is why I focus on strengthening key areas of the body including the abdominals, upper back, glutes and ankles to prevent client injury. By getting those areas strong your performance will increase and your risk of injury will reduce!