She Strengthens

Staying Fit and Fulfilled at Home: Expert Advice

As we navigate the new normal of home-based fitness, it’s essential to find ways to stay motivated and engaged. We’ve gathered top tips from renowned fitness experts to help you achieve your goals without stepping foot in a gym.

Dance Your Way to Fitness

Theresa Farrell, a professional ballet dancer and choreographer, swears by the power of freestyle dance. “Lose yourself in movement, and watch your days transform,” she says. Dancing to one track a day can clear your mind, boost energy levels, and improve overall fitness. Additionally, incorporating a classical ballet barre into your routine can enhance posture, balance, flexibility, and strength.

Stretching for Success

Farrell also emphasizes the importance of stretching, recommending 15 minutes of focused stretching two days a week. “Listen to your body and stay in each stretch for 1-3 minutes with controlled breathing,” she advises. Consistency is key to achieving desired results.

Toning Lower Abs

For a stronger core, Farrell suggests two effective exercises: planking on forearms and dropping hips to the ground, and laying on your back with feet at a 90-degree angle and lifting hips off the ground. These targeted exercises can help tone those hard-to-reach lower abs.

Managing Mood and Well-being

Autumn Holley, a personal trainer and fitness model, shares her strategies for managing stress and anxiety. “Exercise, deep breathing, and meditation can be solitary weapons against depression and worry,” she says. Holley recommends using apps like Calm to guide meditation and promote restful sleep.

Workout Circuits for Mental Health

Holley’s top reason for working out daily is to maintain her mental health. She suggests trying a strength workout circuit at home with no equipment, consisting of three rounds of exercises like reverse lunges, push-ups, dips, squats, shoulder taps, and speed skater lunges.

Healthy Eating Patterns

To develop healthy eating habits, Holley advises shifting your comfort zone and becoming more aware of the fuel you put into your body. She recommends learning to prepare healthy foods and using resources like WW (formerly Weight Watchers) to guide your choices.

Staying Accountable with Your Partner

Juice and Toya, personal trainers and fitness YouTubers, offer tips on staying accountable and supportive with your partner. They suggest working out together, finding modifications to suit different fitness levels, and cooking healthy meals together to explore new recipes and ingredients. Taking walks together can also be a great de-stressor and quality time activity.