Five simple tips for fitting fitness into your day-to-day, from fashion’s top trainers.
How to Start Working Out (Even After Months of Not Moving)
At the start of a new year, many of us resolve to make exercise a priority, but figuring out how to start working out (and then keep it up) is easier said than done—especially in these turbulent times. “When we have a lot of stress coming at us, it’s much more difficult to commit to healthy routines because we simply don’t have the bandwidth,” says yoga teacher Eddie Stern, who counts Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow as clients. Of course difficult doesn’t mean impossible, which is why we’ve asked Stern, and a handful of fashion’s top trainers, to advise on the best ways to fit fitness into our every day. Here’s to turning over a healthier, happier leaf in 2021.
Start With the Basics
“It is important to start at the beginning,” says L.A.-based Pilates instructor Amanda Kassar, whose forthcoming Core Club videos are already a favorite among in-the-know Angelenos. “Jumping into an advanced workout can be discouraging and deter you from continuing,” she cautions. Instead, “start with the fundamentals and build up to more challenging routines.”
Set Manageable Goals
“So many people bite off more than they can chew,” Stern says. “Bite off a little less and you can feel great about yourself.” With this in mind, his newly launched Yoga 365 app offers a daily guided breathing or movement micro practice, which ranges from just one to four minutes. “Our goal is not to encourage people to do more, but to encourage people to be consistent, to have that little bit of discipline to take care of yourself.” Should you have time for a longer (and more strenuous) workout, Stern, who also leads a daily asana practice via Zoom, suggests picking an attainable goal and then checking the outcome: “If you’re feeling better, then you are on the right track. If you’re tired or grumpy or it’s not making you happy, then you need to modify what you’re doing.”
Stick to a Schedule
“The easiest way to build fitness into your day is to create a framework for your day,” says fashion’s favorite trainer Joe Holder, who’s known for working with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, and Virgil Abloh. Kassar is quick to agree: “Carving out time in your schedule will help you to prioritize your workouts, create consistency in your exercise routine, and stay on track to meet your goals,” she says.
Make It Fun
Working out need not be miserable. Simply put, “If it isn’t something you enjoy doing, you are not going to want to go back to it,” Kassar warns. In order to find the routine that will put a smile on your face, “block out all the noise and just discover what you like and want to do,” Holder suggests, noting that, thanks to an abundance of virtual options that includes everything from the Nike Training App to Sky Ting TV and his own platform, Exercise Snacks, “the possibilities are almost endless.” Next, he continues, “find an enjoyable feeling that you associate with workouts,” whether that be a post-sweat-session endorphin rush or the sense of accomplishment that comes from progress.
Another tip? “Working out with a friend (even virtually) is a great way to make exercising more enjoyable and”—especially in the age of social distancing—“give you that feeling of being part of a community,” says Kassar. (Rumor has it that Moda Operandi founder Lauren Santo Domingo and her global group of gal pals now catch up during a weekly Ballet Beautiful online session.) Plus, adds Kassar, “It’s also a great way to hold yourself accountable.”
If You Miss a Day, Just Jump Back In
Of course, even the most committed among us can miss a workout. “Remember, if you do fall off, it isn’t the end of the world,” Holder says. “Things happen in life,” concedes Stern. “Just don’t let too many days go by!”
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Zoe Ruffner
