Move Strong, Live Strong

Recently I’ve been training a number of clients using functional strength exercises alongside barre-based work, combined with cardio, stretching and mobility training. This approach is incredibly effective, particularly for the women I work with. Many of my clients are mums managing the daily demands of family life - pushing strollers, lifting children, cleaning and shopping. Most of us running a busy home and caring for children are doing all of this and what we need is mobility, strength, stamina and flexibility to manage this.

Functional strength work is precisely this - pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, rotating and reaching - training multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This builds core stability, balance and co-ordination to support safe and effect movement in our bodies.

‘Movement For Life’ is my tagline - The Dancer Body was never a workout branded to attain any specific body type - It was and is about having a body therefore being able to dance. Dance requires mobility and flexibility in order to move freely - alongside resistance training and stretching this is much like training as a dancer. However; it is important to remember results vary depending on body size, intensity and regularity. No two people - or it’s unlikely - will achieve the same results from a program due to our body composition.

Individuality is what makes us unique yet society continues to grapple with the idea that thin somehow means better. The attachment of a specific body type to certain exercise methods such as reformer pilates, as well as the rise in use of weight loss injections can feel disheartening. As someone who suffered from body shaming throughout my teens I know firsthand that what we need is self acceptance, uplifting movement and to step away from the idea of perfection when it comes to our bodies.

Jennifer Lopez stepped out on a press tour recently looking incredible at 56. She has always credited her strong and feminine physique with dance, strength training and a healthy attitude to food. This approach is much more inspiring than deprivation, endless exercise and arbitrary daily step counts which, for most of us, is not realistic.

I fully support an industry that encourages movement and a healthy lifestyle. But most importantly I encourage you all to move in a way that supports longevity, health and happiness.

*GLP-1 medications should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.