Author: Caroline's Circuits

This month (October) features menopause awareness month with the whole month focussed on improving understanding and raising awareness of some of the best ways to manage menopause symptoms. Not everyone will suffer in the same way but one thing is for sure – strength training really will help. A question I am often asked is “What form of exercise should I be doing, especially as I hit my 40s and beyond?” Cardio (especially running) has always been at the forefront of the media when it comes to fitness whilst strength training has often been overlooked. But things have really changed and strength training is being shouted about in the media for good reason!

Did you know that just 30 minutes of resistance training three to four times per week is one of the best things you can do for your health and fitness especially as we head into midlife? I’m passionate about this style of training and want to spread the word! This year the focus of menopause month is on raising awareness particularly of cardiovascular health. Strength training can really contribute to improved heart health ~ by building lean muscle mass which in turn helps to burn extra calories & improve cholesterol levels. Combined with at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity (at least 5x a week) this will really strengthen your cardiovascular system.

What is strength training?

Strength training which is also called resistance training or weight training is basically just using your body weight and/or resistance bands and weights to add load to your workout. Don’t panic if you have associated weight training with images of body builders and big bulging muscles, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Often, we are using 2-4 kg dumbbells mixed with bodyweight exercises. Over time you may decide to gradually increase the weights or the number of reps – this is called progressive overload and will help you get stronger and fitter. The increased load and demand on the muscles forces them to adapt and grow stronger over time – building lean muscle. But the benefits of strength training don’t just stop at the muscular system…

Why is strength training so important for women? 

The list really is almost endless! Not only does it contribute hugely to building and retaining lean muscle mass and very importantly improving our bone density (both of which naturally reduce as we age especially post menopause) but it can also have such a positive effect on many aspects of the body including:

• Reducing back pain by enhancing core strength and stability 
• Reducing the risk of trips and falls by building strength by improving posture and balance  
• Enhancing mental wellbeing – lowering stress levels and releasing endorphins for that mental boost
• Boosting our immunity
• Improving sleep

How about strength training and body fat?

One of the most frustrating symptoms of perimenopause/menopause is weight gain especially around the middle. You will be pleased to know that strength training can help if your goal is to reduce body fat. Whilst the workout itself may not burn as many calories as a run or a pure cardio workout, one of the key benefits of strength training is weight management – by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat. The increased muscle mass contributes to a higher metabolism or metabolic rate which helps regulate body mass long term & long after the workout has finished whilst the body repairs. However, it is important to make sure that whilst you’re asking your body to build extra muscle and work hard you fuel it sufficiently to do so – so a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of protein – take a look at this recent blog if you would like to know more on this.

How do you start to strength train and how often…

Research has shown that 30-45 minutes three to four times a week is ideal. Strength training three times a week gives your body enough time to recover between sessions whilst still pushing it enough to see the results. If you’re new to fitness and training you may need to start more gently with very light weights and build up over time (keep your eyes peeled for a blog on exactly this coming soon). 

I have long since been an advocate of strength training, particularly for women, and with this in mind I built my platform – Caroline’s Circuits. My workouts are 4 times a week for just 30 minutes. They are interval strength training circuits which work different muscle groups and challenge the body – they give the perfect mix of strength and cardio for the best results. There are also shorter 10/15 minute sessions if you are building up slowly. 

The online workouts are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (they are all recorded and available to you immediately if you can’t make them live). Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Any questions as always please do get in touch!

Caroline x

Proteins are essential for life, they are needed for pretty much all our bodily functions. They help form hair, skin, nails, muscles, hormones and so much more. They are one of the three macronutrients (with carbohydrates and fats being the other two) and are needed in relatively high quantities by the body. Protein plays a vital role in cellular growth as well as development, repair, immunity and cell signalling. With an explosion of protein powders and supplements to the market it’s a great time (and often a confusing one) to think about whether firstly we may need a protein supplement, what the best sources of protein are and whether we should be worrying about a protein deficiency. 

So, how much protein do you need? 

The body actually needs more protein as you get older. As we age we become less efficient at handling and responding to protein so need more of it to function optimally compared to when we are younger. It might not surprise you to find out that this increases further if you are a woman post menopause. The protein requirements officially change when we are over 65 however menopause has such a large hormone shift in a short period (resulting in body changes such as reduced muscle mass and increased body fat) that it might be wise to start upping your protein intake earlier than 65 as a woman. In addition combining that increase with a well-structured strength training plan can offset those menopause changes.

The decline in muscle mass as we get older is exacerbated in women due to the drop in oestrogen levels (find out more about this in my previous blog). Getting enough protein can help offset this muscle mass decline and is crucial for women. Adequate protein intake in midlife and beyond is hugely impactful in maintaining healthy physical functioning and an active lifestyle. Studies have shown that those consuming the greatest amount of protein showed a 30% reduction in the risk of losing physical function. Whilst this doesn’t mean that you need to consume the absolute maximum amount of protein it does suggest that there is an association between higher protein intake and maintaining physical function as we age, especially as women.

The general protein recommendation for adults is to have 0.8 grams of protein per kg of bodyweight with more active women (especially those lifting weights) having 1-1.2 g per kg bodyweight which is 65-78 g of protein for a 65kg woman. It has also been suggested that an additional 0.4 g per kg bodyweight in snacks throughout the day (an additional 26g of protein) for women in midlife and beyond is optimal. 

So, to get all this protein in throughout the day it’s wise to take a look at some of the foods richest in protein. Typically animal-based protein sources are more readily utilised by the body than plant-based protein sources, but that does not mean we should ignore plant sources. 

Healthy animal sources of protein include: 

• Eggs (a large egg has approximately 6 g protein)
• Chicken 
• Turkey 
• Salmon 
• Milk 

Plant based sources include:

• Quinoa
• Soy
• Tofu 
• Lentils 
• Tempeh

Nuts are also a good source of protein but do also contain a high amount of fat alongside other important nutrients which make them a great snack or topping rather than a main protein source. 

Protein powders shouldn’t be overlooked – when mixed with high quality milk such as dairy or soya these can help women boost their protein intake, especially if struggling to get enough in via the diet as appetite can be a limiting factor here! Be sure to have a look and see how much protein per “scoop” on the power you choose so you can keep track. Also these can be very high in sugar so it’s wise to do some research!

So a typical day’s protein intake could look like this:

• Breakfast – eggs and toast with avocado, maybe some feta. Greek yoghurt is also great!
• Snack – either a high quality protein shake or houmous with veggies
• Lunch – chicken salad (quinoa is a great source to add)
• Snack – live natural yoghurt with fresh fruit and sprinkle of nuts 
• Dinner – Salmon fillet stir fry

My top tip is that I try to ensure I have protein at the centre of every meal which also keeps me fuller for longer.

It’s important to remember that upping your protein intake won’t make you bulk up, it will help your body to function optimally as you get older, to build lean muscle to keep you physically active and live a longer healthier life. 

What’s your favourite protein based meal or snack?

Caroline x

In the UK it’s National Fitness Day today! A day which was originally created to break down the barriers around exercise and help more people to get active. You might see heavy use of the #FitnessDay across your social feeds and find more fitness content, challenges and events than usual. But what is it all about? #FitnessDay aims to celebrate what our health and fitness means to us as individuals, emphasising that looking after our mental and physical health means something different to all of us. This year, the theme for National Fitness Day could not be more apt – ‘Your Health is Your Life’. The annual campaign is focussing on recognising and celebrating the life-long mental and physical benefits of being active.

I found that in my 20s and even 30s  there was a real focus on exercise being purely for weight management – a way to burn off the calories with a heavy sway towards cardio. There was always a pressure to stay slim with little to no emphasis on strength or how exercise made you feel and the mental side of training. 

As I have got older this view on why to train, both personally and socially, has changed and there has been a much more holistic approach to exercise from both a mental and physical point of view. Changing my training style and my reason to exercise has made such a fundamental difference to how I feel in myself and my confidence in my body. I really am now future proofing which is why I love the National Fitness Day slogan of ‘Your Health is Your Life’.

So what does this slogan actually mean? For me it’s about the whole 360 degree approach to wellness – it’s your physical, mental and social wellbeing as well as balance. It’s not just about staying physically fit, it’s about our mental awareness too. From an exercise perspective it’s about functional training, training which enables everyday activities to be done with ease, to prevent injuries, training that allows me to be actively there for my family and stay fit and healthy into my 60s, 70s and 80s. Functional training often involves compound moves where we use more than one muscle at a time (for example we squat down to lift something up & then reach to put it away or we rotate to one side as we get out of a car etc) specifically talking about movements which mimic key movements we do in everyday life – think about it as training for life. For example sitting – we sit down and stand up off a chair, off the bed, off the loo many, many times in a day but all too often we don’t actually train that movement. We have slightly fallen into the trap of training like an athlete – for performance, rather than training functionally for the movement patterns we do in everyday life.

Functional exercise can really impact our strength capabilities.  Did you know that more people get injured doing day to day activities e.g. lifting something heavy in the wrong way like dragging the lawnmower out of the garage or getting out of the bath than they do in the gym doing their workout. It will also help you with your strength in other sports or activities that you do – ie your running, football, golf etc as well as housework, gardening….

On top of the physical benefits of functional training which include enhanced bone density, lean muscle mass, reduced risk of falls and fractures and improved heart health there are plenty of benefits on the mental side of things too. Speaking from experience I know I always feel much better after a good workout. It also helps with improved sleep, mood and immunity – what’s not to love! All of these tie together to give an all round mental health boost and set you up for success. The National Fitness Day slogan ‘Your Health is Your Life’ really does encompass both mental and physical wellbeing and I think it is so important we give airtime to both aspects when training.

As National Fitness Day is all about getting active and staying active, I thought I would share my top tips on getting stuck in and sticking with it: 

1. Find your why – Your reason for starting exercise has a huge impact on whether you will sustain it. Vague goals of “I want to get fit” or “I want to lose weight” won’t keep you at it long term – give yourself an achievable goal such as “I want to run 5k by Christmas” or “I want to do 3 workouts a week” You will also be much more successful at sticking with it if you can see or feel tangible, immediate benefits such as positive feelings of stress reduction, increased energy, better sleep etc. The best way to prioritise exercise and be sure it will happen is if it delivers a benefit that is truly compelling and valuable to your life. So you just need to find out what that is for you, and it might be different for everyone. 
2. Be realistic – Don’t set out with unattainable goals such as “I will workout everyday, I will eat healthily, stop drinking and run 5 times per week”, not only will you lose motivation pretty quickly when you can’t do it but you’ll risk injury and leave yourself feeling pretty rubbish. Instead try committing to three workouts per week and have 4/5 alcohol free nights per week – when you achieve this over a period of time you can then build on these goals – set yourself up for success.
3. Plan and prioritise – For many people time is precious, but so is your health. Plan your week on a Sunday, work out exactly where you can definitely fit in your exercise and stick to it. Maybe organise a plan together with a friend. Sometimes it is also helpful to have a contingency plan for if work or family life throws the schedule out of the window! 
4. Keep it short and sweet – you don’t need to exercise for hours – 30 minutes three times per week for strength work is perfect. Often, people think that they need to spend hours and hours at the gym each week to make it worthwhile – this is a myth! 
5. Work out your best time – if you’re not a morning person don’t commit to a 7am workout, if you know you flag in the evenings make sure you get it done before lunchtime. There’s no right time, just the right time for you.

If today is the day that you are thinking about getting started, why not try one of my shorter workouts? My ten minute series could be just the ticket for kickstarting the habit. Don’t forget to use my code picknmix20 if you do which is valid until the end of September.

I do get asked this question a lot by my members and it requires a careful answer. It is safe to exercise every day but it entirely depends on the level you are working at. It is fine to exercise but not at a high impact level every day. You need to think about why you are exercising so much and your motivation behind it. If you find an exercise which you enjoy and it isn’t at too intense a level then that is fine such as walking or yoga. You also want to take into consideration the length of time of each session – ultimately you want to find a routine that optimises your efforts and doesn’t undo them, remember the importance of rest and recovery for fitness gains and to avoid injury.

Regular exercise provides a whole heap of benefits to our overall wellbeing –  it helps protect against many chronic diseases, aids weight management, lowers blood pressure, improves heart health, improves sleep and mental health etc etc.  It improves our muscle and bone strength as well as our memory and brain function. A daily commitment to movement can improve our lives in so many ways and the benefits are as much mental as they are physical.

However…too much exercise also has some very real negative factors – so why do we need rest days? Rest days are vital especially if your fitness routine revolves around high intensity exercise. You need rest days to benefit from your workouts. Why? When you exercise especially at a high intensity you break down muscle tissue. If you do not give your muscles adequate time to repair and are overtraining you put yourself more at risk of injury and illness. Your muscles also need time to refuel and replenish their glycogen stores. 

On top of this if you don’t rest you will lose your motivation and be more at risk of “burnout” and in the long run your fitness levels as well as your performance will suffer. Rest days don’t mean that you have to completely stop all moving! Once again walking, yoga, gentle cycling, swimming are all good – any exercise which isn’t putting your body through undue stress.

If you are worried that your exercising has become obsessive try to take some time away from the gym, decrease the time of your workouts and find other forms of low impact exercise which you enjoy i.e. tennis, swimming, walking, gentle cycling, yoga. Think about why you are exercising too much – is it that you simply enjoy it or is it weight focussed?  Try to build in your rest days and find alternative hobbies alongside your fitness which you enjoy daily so that you really are allowing your body time to recover and repair – it will thank you for it.

A great exercise schedule that I would recommend to my clients would be along these lines – 30-40 minute workouts 4x a week – a mixture of medium to high impact workouts for example on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday interspersed with lower intensity workouts once or twice a week (such as jogging, swimming, cycling, yoga, Pilates) with either a mobility stretch session or long walk on the weekend. The high intensity sessions could be either strength or cardio focussed but I would definitely recommend at least two strength-based sessions a week, you can alternate upper body and lower body sessions.

I do not recommend more than 3 sessions of HIIT workouts per week and would advise one day of complete rest of any high impact exercise. Alongside this routine I advise clients to focus on getting 7/8 hours of sleep per night and eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water and watching their alcohol levels. Keeping your workouts varied is also key!! And finally enjoy your exercise, see it as enjoyment rather than a chore and if you find something you love you are more likely to stick with it and be consistent. 

I might be biassed but I LOVE a home workout so I have plenty of tips for waving goodbye to busy gyms and expensive fees and getting stuck into some brilliant home workouts. No matter where you are on your fitness journey, a home workout can really benefit your fitness. So what are my top tips for exercising without going to a gym?

1. If possible, find yourself a dedicated area in the home to become your workout space. It doesn’t need to be set up all the time but have a place that you know works, where you can roll your mat out and get started. It can be as simple as the corner of the living room, a space in the garage or if you have the space perhaps in a spare room. You don’t need much room at all, just the size of the mat really.
2. Invest in a couple of pieces of kit – people always ask what they need to get started and it isn’t much at all but they are key to success! My key pieces of equipment are a mat, a short looped resistance band and a set of light (approx. 2kg) dumbbells – you can increase the weight gradually as you build strength over time (you can read my blog on this here). If you’re not ready to start with weights you can start off with bodyweight only and then add in some water bottles until you’re confident to purchase the weights.
3. If you’re new to exercise or want to shake up your routine it’s a great idea to follow an online programme. My platform has 4 live workouts a week as well as an express class series, the In Ten series and a library of on-demand classes. It is always helpful to have someone to guide you through the workouts and exercise and to give you that motivation boost to keep going and keep you accountable. 
4. Plan plan plan – plot out at the start of each week where you can fit your workouts in (remember you don’t have that gym commute now so you’ll be saving some time there!). Try to carve out enough time and then stick to it – tick them off as you go, it’s quite satisfying! You’ll soon find that these workouts become routine and you can’t imagine life when you didn’t do them.
5. Mix it up – if the weather is nice try to get outside to do a few of these workouts. Not only will you get your Vitamin D fix, the fresh air does wonders for the brain and you’ll be riding that post-workout endorphin high for the rest of the day. 

Let me know how you get on and remember you can use code picknmix20 throughout September for 20% off your first month on Caroline’s Circuits.

Caroline x

Do it, In Ten! The new Pick n Mix series is here! This September, I am launching a brand new, ten-minutes only, workout series on my platform. From now members will have access to an exclusive new series to kick start their exercise following the summer break.

For many this is the first week back to work or school after the long holidays and the first time exercise is back on the agenda. The ‘In Ten; Pick n Mix’ series will be available for women looking to build strength and find a routine following the summer months. 

I am always looking for new solutions to help my members hit their goals and be consistent with their exercise habits. I have therefore created the In Ten series to knock down the barriers for those women struggling with low motivation and overwhelmed by the commitment of longer class lengths. Research has shown that short sharp workouts really are as effective if not more so than longer length sessions and are ideal for keeping focus & boosting mental health too (take a look at my previous blog on this here).

This series makes exercise accessible and achievable for everyone – in shorter bitesize sessions – all of which can be completed in the comfort of home, without much equipment and expensive gym memberships. 

Workouts consist of just ten minutes of exercise, working different muscle groups each session. I have released all ten new, Pick n Mix In Ten sessions at once for you to complete in your own time. They can be done as one singular activity or stacked, to create longer workouts based on your needs. The In Ten workouts can be selected at your choosing and repeated whenever suits you – think of it as the Pick n Mix of the exercise world! Due to the length of the sessions they will keep you focussed and motivated – shorter workouts add variety and there isn’t time to find an excuse!

For many, starting something new can at times feel overwhelming. With the In Ten series, there’s nothing to lose and yet so much to gain. Below are just some of the incredible benefits associated with strength training.

• Increases bone density: post-menopausal women are at greater risk of osteoporosis due to the drop in oestrogen, weight training stimulates new bone growth to counteract this.
• Aids weight management: when you train with weights you build lean muscle which increases your metabolism, burning more calories over the day post workout.
• Boosts mood: strength training releases the endorphins helping relieve anxiety and stress and putting you in a great mood.
• Reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes: strength training has been proven to aid cardiovascular health to help reduce the risk of heart related conditions.

This feels like a really exciting and accessible series for the platform.I hope the In Ten series provides a solution for many, squeezing in shorter workouts throughout the week but still gaining all the benefits of strength exercise.

Sign up using the code picknmix20 for a 20% discount for your first month of membership to the entire Caroline’s Circuits platform including the Do it, In Ten series.

This is a question I get all the time – what is the best time of day to workout, so this week we are talking morning vs evening workouts…spoiler alert it really doesn’t matter! A lot of it is down to personal preference and when you can guarantee you can commit to being consistent and getting it done. There are definitely pros and cons of both morning and evenings for workouts but for me it is definitely the morning that wins.

Both morning and evening workouts require discipline and motivation to get them done and make sure they don’t get bumped down the to do list. First off let’s talk mornings…

Morning workouts have been proven to boost energy and alertness levels throughout the day, you benefit from the post-exercise endorphin release all day and can put you in a better mood to start the day. Working out in the morning does usually mean that other distractions such as work, socialising, cooking dinner, laundry and the rest don’t get in the way and cause the workout to be missed. That said, if you’re getting up super early to fit in a morning workout you might be cutting short your sleep which is vital for recovery as well as mental wellbeing. Did you know that 45% of women choose to workout in the morning rather than the evening? Furthermore, on average women who worked out in the morning completed more workouts than those who opted for the evening (from TreadMill Survey).

Evening workouts definitely have their benefits too. You don’t necessarily have a tight time scale in the evening meaning you might be able to fit in a slightly longer workout (as you’re not rushing to finish in time for work or school run) so perhaps you could fit in that core finisher or a longer cool down? Some studies have reported that people found they could train harder in the evenings vs mornings, although this did vary between strength and cardio. This may in turn help you sleep – if you’re training a little harder and not getting up quite as early to train pre-work you might just find your sleep quality improves. In contradiction, some people report that workouts too late in the evening will result in an inability to switch off and they end up going to bed later. In addition it can be harder to be consistent in the evenings due to other commitments. 

So the true answer to this is to do whatever works best for you! If working out in the morning is going to help you be consistent then go for it, if it’s the evening then definitely do that. The difference in performance is so minimal, that it really doesn’t matter. So my take home message is that consistency is key! 

Let me know what works best for you – get in touch.

Caroline x

Struggling to stick to your normal routine whilst in the midst of summer holidays? Do you find you’re juggling work, children, holidays and socialising and the thing that keeps slipping is your exercise? Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Do you think you could find time for a 15 minute full body sculpt blast? 

The best part about it is that it is all body weight – no equipment needed at all so you can run out into the garden (if the rain allows!) and do it quickly or a speedy session by the pool on holiday. It will be over and done with before you know it and you’ll feel amazing afterwards. 

This is a HIIT workout so it’s high intensity for short high energy bursts with a short rest period before moving onto the next exercise. This format is great for short, sharp workouts as it is varied, you don’t get bored of the exercises and it’s a real metabolism booster as you continue to burn calories long after the workout has finished. 

This workout has been a real hit with my members this summer and I have been sent some fab videos of my lovely members from all around the world completing this workout in all sorts of different locations, so I thought I would open it up for everyone to try. It is part of my 15 minute summer express series which launched in June and is available in the membership hub alongside the weekly classes. 

Have a go and try the class for free here.

Let me know how you get on with it.

Caroline x

A new piece of research has been released which reveals that isometric exercises are more effective at preventing high blood pressure than a run, a walk or a cycle. This sounds great but what does it actually mean? 

First of all, what is an isometric exercise? These are exercises which involve holding the body in a fixed position with no muscle or joint movement at all. So, examples would include a plank, a wall sit, a squat hold or box plank. One of the best things about isometric exercises is that they require no equipment and you really can do them anywhere, at any time.

The study from Canterbury Christchurch University in Kent suggests that doing 4 sets of 2 minute isometric exercises 3 times per week is effective, provided the exercises are performed with good form. Of course, the benefits of resistance training like this go much further than just blood pressure, they include improved bone health, strengthening muscles, boosting immunity and of course the mood enhancing bonus.

So, whilst these exercises are very beneficial when performed with good form they are also some of the moves most commonly performed incorrectly. So, let’s have a quick look at how to access the power of the plank and what you need to do to create the perfect wall sit! 

Plank – this can be either a forearm plank or a high plank, the principle of both is the same. The key is to have a nice, straight, strong back and core without your hips in the air! So the key steps to perfect this are:

• Engage the core, pull the belly button to the spine
• Squeeze the glutes
• Lift through the quads
• Shoulders back and down
• Neutral head position – try not to drop the head or look up too much
• Think straight line from shoulders to hips to knees to ankles
• And don’t forget to breathe!

Now what about a wall sit…these are just like a squat but up against a wall. The key here again is to engage the core and get low enough!

• Make sure the back is pushed against the wall (don’t let the lower back arch forwards)
• Weight is in the heels 
• Get down low to have a 90 degree angle at the knees so the thighs are parallel to the floor 
• Make sure the knees don’t fall in
• Nice deep breaths! And try to resist the hands resting on the legs.

Now don’t panic if you can’t immediately jump into a perfect 2 minute plank! The most important thing, as I always say, is consistency. Keep practising. Planks are brilliant for building upper body strength and will really help with lots of other compound exercises such as your press ups. Wall squats will similarly help with your lower body strength! These are the perfect exercises to tack onto the end of a workout too as a  finisher. 

Let me know how you get on, as always please do get in touch!

Caroline x

There are so many reasons why I love TRX training, anyone who knows me will know I am a big fan! Read on to find out why! TRX suspension training is resistance training with your body weight and is proven to improve total body strength, core stability and heart health. So here are my top ten reasons you should give TRX training a go…

1. Great for all fitness levels – TRX training really is for everyone. There are loads of modifications to all of the exercises you can do with this piece of equipment. You can use your whole body weight by being suspended or for a gentler workout you can use the TRX for greater support and adopt more of a standing position as you build strength and fitness.
2. It’s different to other workouts – unlike conventional resistance training with weights where you challenge yourself by increasing the weight/number of reps/sets, with TRX the slightest shift in body position can dramatically increase your workout intensity!
3. It hits your core hard – almost every exercise you do with the TRX activates your core muscles. Research has shown that many TRX exercises show greater core activation than when performing these exercises without.
4. Low risk and low impact – a lot of the exercises focus on mobility and flexibility whilst building strength. The exercises are gentle on the joints and do pose lower risk than many other forms of exercise because they are very low impact.
5. There’s no denying it, TRX training builds muscle. It is a form of resistance training and it really does build muscle effectively.
6. Increase in metabolic rate – because it is resistance training it gives you that sustained calorie burn post exercise that you get from weight training.
7. Pack it and take it! You can pop it in your suitcase to take on holiday, throw it in your bag for a work trip or pop it up in the garden for a summer workout!
8. Cardio and strength – depending on the style of workout and the exercises you do you can tick the cardio and strength boxes with your TRX. Squat jumps with one are not for the faint hearted. 
9. Fast, effective whole body workout – TRX actually stands for Total-Body Resistance Exercise and that’s a pretty good summary! With the little piece of kit you can hit your whole body in a short space of time. Both upper body and lower body exercises are equally effective. There are some very advanced abs moves too!
10. Functional fitness – loads of the TRX exercises are great functional fitness exercises (if you missed my blog on this, you can find it here) which means that they are building strength in movements which mimic those we do in everyday life. Think of it as training for real life! I also really like to use mine for single leg exercises which help hugely with stability and any muscle imbalances. So a great solution for rehab too.

I often get asked what my favourite TRX exercises are and which ones I would recommend. Take a look at my IG post for a great TRX legs workout recommendation here. Let me know how you get on! Keep your eyes peeled for more TRX inspo coming soon!

You can use code TRX15CC for 15% off at TRXtraining.com if you want to have a go.

Caroline x

This is an ad for TRX.