Author: Caroline's Circuits

For years carbs have been seen as the enemy and many weight loss programmes have historically advocated the “cut carbs” approach. Cutting out bread, rice, pasta and potatoes was advised but now there is science to support the notion that cutting out carbohydrates from our diet might in fact be harmful to our health.

To start with, carbohydrates are one of the key macronutrients we need. Carbohydrates fuel our bodies, they are the preferred fuel for all of our cells and organs to carry out their tasks. Without fuel we would just grind to a halt! They also help prevent muscle loss and enhance muscle recovery. There are two types of carbohydrates:

• Simple carbohydrates: these are found in sugars which have been stripped of their natural fibre. They are lower in nutritional value and are ok to eat but in moderation – more to follow on this.
• Complex carbohydrates: these are high in fibre and are found in vegetables, whole grains, fruits and whole, unprocessed foods.

Carbs fuel you

When we eat starchy carbohydrates they are broken down into glucose. When glucose enters our blood, if it is immediately required it is then used, however if there is an excess it is stored as glycogen in the liver and in the muscles. Only if there is still excess sugar in the blood, after these stores have been fully stocked, is this glucose converted into fat. 

The studies have found that a diet where carbohydrates were removed was linked to artery clogging, accelerated ageing of our organs and an unbalanced gut microbiome. Government and NHS guidelines suggest that 50% of our daily energy intake should come from healthy carbohydrates such as brown bread, brown pasta and vegetables. Many diets such as the keto diet advocate removing carbohydrates and having 70-80% of the daily energy intake from fats and 20-30% from protein. This pushes the body into a state of ketosis where the body breaks down fats to ketones for fuel. This type of diet is sometimes prescribed for medical conditions. Epilepsy sufferers for example may be prescribed it as it has been shown to reduce seizures. There is also some evidence suggesting it to be beneficial for certain neurological disorders but not just for purely reducing body fat. 

In a study which looked at the effects of cutting carbohydrates (reducing carbohydrate intake to just 8% of daily calories) or reducing sugars (this group reduced the free sugars eg syrups and sugars added to cakes etc). Both the carb cutting group and the reduced sugar group lost weight at 12 weeks but the carb cutting group showed some worrying results. Their blood tests showed increased levels of the bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein), increased clotting protein and spikes in blood sugar following carb intake so their bodies became less able to handle carbohydrates after starving themselves of it. The reduced sugar group however showed lower bad cholesterol levels at 12 weeks. 

Carbs and fibre

One of the other issues with cutting out carbohydrates is that our dietary fibre intake also reduces which puts our bodies at risk of other conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, obesity and bowel disease, immune function issues and gut microbiome problems. 

The fundamental message here is that cutting out or restricting carbohydrates is not going to help with weight loss and building/maintaining lean muscle but may instead cause health problems further down the line. Having a balanced, healthy diet which includes sensible carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre and vitamins and minerals is going to stand you in the best stead! 

So what are the good carbs that we want to make sure we have in our diet? Oats, sweet potatoes, pasta (ideally wholewheat), whole grain bread, quinoa, lentils and chickpeas. And what about the carbs to be mindful of? Sugary drinks, refined cereals, sliced white bread, syrups and honey, cakes and sweets.

Any questions please do get in touch!

Caroline x

Strength training offers incredible benefits for women, including increased muscle mass, improved bone density and enhanced metabolic health. However, to maximise these benefits, it’s essential to fuel your body with the right nutrients and to stay consistent

Macronutrients: The Building Blocks

Protein

Protein is crucial for muscle repair and growth. Aim for a daily intake of 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight – take a look at this blog for more info on this. High-quality protein sources include:

– Lean meats: Chicken, turkey, and lean beef

– Fish: Salmon, tuna, and cod

– Dairy: Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, and milk

– Plant-based: Tofu, tempeh, lentils, and chickpeas

– Protein supplements

Carbohydrates

Carbs are your body’s primary energy source, essential for fuelling intense workouts. Focus on complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy:

– Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, oats and whole-wheat products

– Fruits: Berries, apples, bananas and oranges

– Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and bell peppers

– Legumes: Black beans, lentils and peas

Fats

Healthy fats are vital for hormone production and overall health. Incorporate a variety of these sources:

– Monounsaturated fats: Avocados, olive oil and nuts

– Polyunsaturated fats: Fatty fish (like salmon) flaxseeds, and walnuts

– Saturated fats: In moderation, from sources like coconut oil and dairy

Micronutrients: The Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Calcium and Vitamin D

These nutrients are crucial for bone health, especially important for women who strength train. Sources include:

– Calcium: Dairy products, leafy greens and fortified plant milks

– Vitamin D: Fatty fish, fortified foods and sunlight exposure. It is recommended to supplement this in winter months

Iron

Iron is vital for oxygen transport in the blood, supporting endurance during workouts. Women, in particular, need adequate iron intake due to menstrual losses. Sources include:

– Heme iron:*Red meat, poultry, and fish

– Non-heme iron: Lentils, beans, tofu and fortified cereals

Magnesium

Magnesium plays an important role in muscle function and recovery. Include these foods in your diet:

– Leafy greens: Spinach and kale

– Nuts and seeds: Almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds

– Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, and oats

Hydration: Stay Refreshed and Replenished

Staying hydrated is fundamental to performance and recovery. Here’s what you should aim for:

– Water: Drink at least 1.5 -2 litres per day, more if you sweat heavily during workouts.

– Electrolytes: Replenish electrolytes with drinks like coconut water, electrolyte tablets, or sports drinks, especially after intense or long-duration workouts.

Pre-Workout Nutrition: Fuel Correctly

Eating the right foods before your workout can make a significant difference in your performance. Aim to consume a balanced meal 2-3 hours before training, including:

– Carbs: For energy (e.g., a banana, bread, pasta)

– Protein: For muscle support (e.g., a protein smoothie, Greek yoghurt)

– Fats: In small amounts (e.g., a handful of nuts)

If you’re short on time, a small snack 30-60 minutes before your workout can also help:

– Fruit: An apple, banana or an orange

– Protein bar: Low in sugar and high in protein

Post-Workout Nutrition: Optimise Recovery

Post-workout nutrition is critical for recovery and muscle growth. Within 30-60 minutes after your session, aim to consume:

– Protein: To repair muscles (e.g., a protein shake, eggs, chicken breast, Greek yoghurt with nuts, seeds)

– Carbs: To replenish glycogen stores (e.g., sweet potato, rice)

– Hydration: Rehydrate with water and consider a sports drink if you’ve sweated a lot (watch the hidden sugars in these)

Supplements: When Food Isn’t Enough

While it’s best to get your nutrients from whole foods, supplements can help fill any gaps:

– Protein powder: For convenient post-workout protein if you are on the go (watch the sugar content in some of these though)

– Multivitamin: To cover general nutritional needs

– Fish oil: For omega-3 fatty acids

– Turmeric: excellent for inflammation – I highly recommend The Turmeric Co for this

– Magnesium – excellent for joint health

Conclusion

Proper nutrition is a key component of any effective strength training program, especially for women. By focusing on a balanced intake of macronutrients and staying hydrated, you can enhance your performance, recovery, and overall health. Tailor these guidelines to your specific needs, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your strength training goals.

As always any questions please get in touch.

Caroline x

Have you ever been to the gym or out for a run and seen your male counterpart running faster, lifting heavier or sweating harder? You may be suprised to read who benefits the most.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has shown that men need to exercise for twice as long as women to gain the same long-term benefits such as heart health. The study followed men and women over two decades and whilst both genders reduced their ruse of early death by exercising, women gained more benefit per minute of exercise. This was true of all types of exercise looked at in the study. These included running, cycling and strength training. The added boost to women’s long-term health was even observed when women put in less effort than men. 

To put some figures against the words – women who exercised regularly saw a 36% reduction in their risk of stroke or fatal heart attack whereas men saw a 14% reduction. Furthermore, when looking at early death of any cause the study found that women’s risk was reduced by 24% by exercising against 15% for men. For men to cut their risk of death by 18% they need to complete 5 hours of moderate aerobic activity per week whereas women need to do 2.5 hours. For more vigorous exercise such as running or spin women need 57 minutes per week to reduce the risk of death by 19% with men needing 110 minutes per week. 

When it comes to strength training women showed a 30% reduced risk of heart attack and stroke whereas men showed an 11% reduction in risk. This study highlights that women can reap huge rewards from their exercise, even with a limited amount.

There isn’t a clear reason why this difference occurs, however it is thought to be linked to the anatomy and physiology differences between men and women. Men have larger hearts and larger lungs and greater muscle mass which means that force production does come more naturally. Women’s bodies need to adapt more to produce the same movement and it is this adaptation that leads to the health benefits of exercise.

This study also supports the popular opinion that exercise isn’t a one size fits all and should be tailored as the body’s response varies according to gender, due to hormones, anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. For example, women naturally have a higher body fat percentage than men so tend to use more fat as fuel in workouts which makes women naturally better at endurance exercise on the whole.

So my take away from this interesting piece of research is that we should do the exercise! It will help your longevity, reduce disease (especially of the heart) risk and on top of that we benefit doubly! 

As always any questions please get in touch!

Caroline x

Aerobic and anaerobic training are two distinct forms of exercise that target different energy systems in the body, leading to various physiological adaptations. Understanding the differences between these two types of training can help you work towards a specific goal or improve your fitness.

Aerobic Training:

Definition: Aerobic means “with oxygen,” and aerobic training involves activities that can be sustained for an extended period, relying on the body’s ability to use oxygen to produce energy.

Energy System: Aerobic exercises primarily utilise the aerobic energy system, which involves the metabolism of oxygen and carbohydrates or fats to produce energy.

Duration and Intensity: Aerobic activities are typically low to moderate in intensity and can be sustained for an extended period of time. Examples include jogging, swimming, cycling, and brisk walking.

Benefits:

   – Improves cardiovascular endurance.

   – Enhances respiratory function.

   – Burns calories and aids in weight management.

   – Supports overall health and well-being.

Anaerobic Training:

Definition: Anaerobic means “without oxygen,” and anaerobic training involves activities that are of high intensity and cannot be sustained for an extended period without a build up of metabolic by-products.

Energy System: Anaerobic exercises primarily use the phosphagen and glycolytic energy systems, relying on stored ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the breakdown of glucose for energy.

Duration and Intensity: Anaerobic activities are short, intense bursts of effort that typically last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Examples include sprinting, strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Benefits:

   – Develops power, strength and speed.

   – Improves anaerobic endurance.

   – Enhances muscle mass and strength.

   – May contribute to fat loss and improved metabolism.

Balancing Aerobic and Anaerobic Training:

Comprehensive Fitness: A well-rounded fitness program often includes both aerobic and anaerobic elements to address different aspects of physical fitness.

Individual Goals: Your fitness goals will influence the emphasis you place on aerobic or anaerobic training. For example, marathon runners focus more on aerobic training, while sprinters prioritise anaerobic efforts.

Cross-Training: Incorporating a variety of activities into your routine; so having several strength training sessions in a week with one including cardio, plus a long walk, a run or a cycle can provide a balanced approach to fitness.

Recovery: Adequate rest and recovery are essential, especially after intense anaerobic sessions, to allow the body to repair fully and adapt.

Understanding the principles of aerobic and anaerobic training allows you to tailor your exercise routine to meet your specific goals and promote overall health and fitness. Remember everyone is different and what works for one person will not necessarily work well for another. A balanced approach with both included works well for me and my goals. Always ensure ultimately that you are doing something you enjoy! 

As always any questions please get in touch.

Caroline x

Understanding heart rate and training zones is great for optimising your workouts and achieving specific fitness goals. It is not by all means the only way to monitor your workouts but some people do like to use their heart rate as an indicator during a workout, training session or run so I thought I would look deeper into this. The heart rate is a measure of how many times your heart beats per minute (bpm), and it can provide valuable insights into the intensity of your exercise. Training zones are specific heart rate ranges that correspond to different exercise intensities, each serving a different purpose in terms of fitness improvement.

Here’s a general breakdown of training zones:

1. Resting Heart Rate (RHR):

   – This is your heart rate when you are at complete rest, typically measured in the morning before you get out of bed or after a period of sitting still in a relaxed environment.

   – It serves as a baseline for tracking changes in your cardiovascular fitness – generally speaking a lower resting heart rate is associated with higher levels of fitness.

2. Maximum Heart Rate (MHR):

   – This is the highest heart rate you can achieve during intense exercise.

   – An estimate of your MHR can be calculated using formulas (e.g. 220 minus your age), but individual variations exist.

3. Heart Rate Reserve (HRR):

   – Heart rate reserve is the difference between your max heart rate and your resting heart rate.

   – It provides a range within which your training zones are defined.

4. Training Zones:

   – Zone 1 (50-60% of HRR): Very light intensity, suitable for warm-up and cool-down exercises. It helps improve general cardiovascular health.

   – Zone 2 (60-70% of HRR): Light to moderate intensity, good for building aerobic endurance and burning fat.

   – Zone 3 (70-80% of HRR): Moderate to moderately high intensity, beneficial for improving aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

   – Zone 4 (80-90% of HRR): High intensity, used for interval training to improve anaerobic capacity and speed.

   – Zone 5 (90-100% of HRR): Maximum effort, suitable for short bursts of high-intensity exercise. This zone helps improve speed and power.

How to Determine Your Training Zones:

1. Maximal Tests: Conducting maximal tests, such as a graded exercise test, can provide accurate data on your max heart rate.

2. Estimation Formulas: While less accurate, formulas like 220 minus age, can provide rough estimates.

3. Fitness Trackers and Wearable Devices: Many modern fitness trackers and smartwatches use heart rate data to estimate training zones. They often consider your age, sex, and fitness level. Be warned some can be wildly inaccurate and vary massively in results.

4. Perceived Exertion: Listen to your body and use the perceived exertion scale (1 to 10) to gauge the intensity of your workout. It can complement heart rate monitoring.

Regularly monitoring and adjusting your training based on heart rate and training zones can help you achieve specific fitness goals, whether it’s improving endurance or increasing speed and power. However, using your body and focussing on how you feel as well as tracking reps and sets are also excellent markers for monitoring progress and fitness.

Have you incorporated this into your own training? If so I would love to hear from you and how you have used the data.

As always, any questions please get in touch.

Caroline x

Summer holidays are firmly upon us and I love taking my exercise routines outside when the weather is nice and making the most of the sunshine. Training in the heat can have both benefits and challenges. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions to ensure your safety, especially if you’re not used to working out in the warmer weather. Here are some of my considerations and tips for training in hot conditions:

Benefits:

1. Improved Endurance: Exercising in the heat can lead to improved heat acclimatisation and enhanced cardiovascular endurance.

2. Calorie Burn: Your body may burn more calories as it works harder to cool itself in a hot environment.

3. Mental Toughness: Training in challenging conditions can build mental resilience and discipline.

Challenges:

1. Dehydration: The risk of dehydration is higher in hot conditions. It’s crucial to stay well-hydrated before, during and after your workout. 

2. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: Exercising in extreme heat can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Be aware of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and stop exercise if you experience any of them.

3. Electrolyte Imbalance: Sweating in the heat can lead to the loss of essential electrolytes. Consider consuming electrolyte-rich drinks and make sure you are remaining hydrated and fuelled.

4. Sunburn: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen, wearing appropriate clothing, and training during non-peak sun hours if possible.

My Top Tips for Training in the Heat:

1. Hydrate: I cannot emphasise this enough! Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout. You could consider electrolyte-rich drinks for longer sessions.

2. Time of Day: Train during the cooler part of the day, such as early morning or late evening, to avoid peak heat – for me it’s always early morning.

3. Appropriate Clothing: Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to help your body cool down.

4. Sun Protection: Use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.

5. Gradual Acclimatisation: Allow your body to acclimate gradually to the heat – you may wish to make your sessions shorter in these temperatures and only gradually increase intensity and duration. I always think of my exercise sessions as maintenance on holiday not PBs!

6. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels. If you experience signs of heat-related issues, take a break and cool down.

7. Cooling Strategies: Use cooling aids like wet towels, cooling vests, or ice packs to help regulate your body temperature.

Individual tolerance to heat varies, so it’s important to listen to your body and adjust your training accordingly. 

Are you a hot or cold weather person? 

Caroline x

Building lean muscle not only helps with everyday life tasks, boosts our self-esteem and regulates metabolism but it can also help you feel more energised, sleep better and ultimately live a longer, healthier life. The challenge is doing this as we age. So here are my top tips to build and maintain muscle as you age – especially if you’re new to strength training and just getting started.

Strength train for at least 20-30 minutes 3-4 times per week

If you want to build lean muscle you will need to do some form of resistance training regularly. The best type of exercise is one you enjoy – it won’t feel like a chore, you’re more likely to be consistent and see results so find something that you enjoy which involves working the muscles under resistance (e.g. dumbbells, resistance bands etc.). You can think of resistance training like body armour – it’s your protection and longevity survival kit! 20-30 minutes is a manageable chunk of time to find during your day 3-4 times per week, you don’t need to be doing hour-long workouts to get the benefits.

Place the focus on form not on reps

Remember it is most certainly quality over quantity. If you are simply doing the exercise with the aim of hitting 20 reps then that is not going to get you the results you need. Think instead about exactly what each body part is doing, engage each muscle that is needed to complete each rep with the best technique. Take a press up for example, it’s not just the arms and chest, the glutes need to be engaged, you should be lifting through the quads, engaging the core and the lats should be tight to ensure the body stays in alignment whilst the arms and chest work to produce the movement. Take each one slowly and carefully and suddenly you find you’re really working quite hard. It is much better to do 5-10 really well than speed through 20-25. The same can be said for any of the great strength exercises – squats, lunges, planks they all require the whole body to be working in synergy for top technique.

Ease yourself in

You can’t expect to go from never lifting a dumbbell or having a 4 year break to smashing through a whole body workout with ease. Set yourself up for success – start with a short bodyweight, beginners session, gradually add in light weights, build up the number of circuits you can do, extend the length of each set, bring in more complex exercises and before you know it you will be powering through the session. But remember the phrase “don’t run before you can walk” – it really is applicable here. If you jump right in at the deep end and injure yourself you will be setting yourself further back than when you decided to start so start small, build and above all be consistent. 

Building and maintaining muscle as we age doesn’t need to be complicated and doesn’t require loads of time and equipment but it does need a few well thought out sessions each week, performed consistently. 

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.

The online workouts are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (they are all recorded and available to you within an hour of the session 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

Building stronger bones involves a combination of factors, including genetics, nutrition, and physical activity. This week I am going to dive into the science behind the formation of bones and what we can do to help! 

Ossification is the process by which bone tissue is formed, and it involves the deposition of minerals (mainly calcium and phosphate) into a framework of collagen fibres. There are two primary types of ossification: intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification (stick with me on the science here!).

1. Intramembranous Ossification:

• Location: This type of bone formation occurs directly within mesenchymal (undifferentiated embryonic connective tissue) membranes, without the intermediate step of cartilage formation. 
• Process:
  • Mesenchymal cells differentiate into osteoblasts (the scientific name for bone-forming cells).
  • Osteoblasts release an organic matrix (osteoid), which consists of collagen fibres.
  • Calcium salts are deposited within the osteoid, leading to the formation of bone tissue.
  • The type of bone formation process occurs mainly in flat bones of the skull, facial bones, and part of the clavicle.

2. Endochondral Ossification:

• Location: This type of bone formation involves the replacement of a cartilaginous model with bone tissue and is the process by which the majority of bones in the body are formed.
• Process:
  • Firstly the body must form a Cartilage Model: Mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes (cartilage-forming cells) that form a cartilaginous model of the future bone.
  • The cartilage model grows, and a primary ossification centre is established in the diaphysis (shaft) of the bone.
  • Vascular Invasion: Blood vessels infiltrate the cartilage model, bringing osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and nutrients.
  • Osteoblasts replace the cartilage with bone tissue in the primary ossification centre.
  • Formation of Secondary Ossification Centres: Secondary ossification centres develop in the epiphyses (ends) of the bone.
  • Cartilage is replaced by bone in these secondary ossification centres.
  • Epiphyseal Plates (Growth Plates): A layer of cartilage, known as the epiphyseal plate, remains between the shaft and end of the bone. The epiphyseal plate is responsible for bones getting longer in children and adolescents – growing taller.
  • Closure of Epiphyseal Plates: As an individual reaches skeletal maturity, the epiphyseal plates close, and the bone stops growing in length.
  • The building of bone in the shaft and ends of bone continues throughout life with new bone being formed all the time and old bone being destroyed – it is a balancing act. To continue to build stronger bones you need the bone growth rate to be more rapid than the rate of bone decline – this is what we are trying to combat as we age.

Both types of ossification mentioned above involve the activity of osteoblasts, which are responsible for bone formation, and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone resorption (or breakdown). The balance between these two processes is crucial for maintaining bone structure and function throughout life.

Ossification is a dynamic and tightly regulated process, influenced by genetic factors, hormones, and mechanical stimuli. Here are some key aspects of the factors behind building and maintaining strong bones:

• Nutrition:
  • Calcium and Vitamin D: Calcium is a crucial mineral for bone health, and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Good dietary sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified foods. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight exposure, certain foods, and supplements.
  • Other Essential Nutrients: Besides calcium and vitamin D, other nutrients such as vitamin K, magnesium, phosphorus, and trace minerals contribute to bone health. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients is essential.

• Weight-Bearing Exercise:
  • Strength Training: Resistance or strength training exercises stimulate the bones to adapt and become denser. Weight-bearing exercises, like lifting weights, using resistance bands, or doing bodyweight exercises, create a positive impact on bone density.
  • Impact Activities: Activities that involve impact, such as running, jumping, or power walking, can also promote bone health. These activities generate forces on the bones, leading to an adaptive response that strengthens them.

• Hormonal Regulation:
  • Hormones, particularly oestrogen and testosterone: These hormones play a role in bone health. For example, during menopause, women may experience a decrease in oestrogen levels, which can lead to bone loss and therefore weaker bones – diet and exercise can help offset this.

• Lifestyle Factors:
  • Avoiding Smoking and Limiting Alcohol Intake: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact bone health. Smoking has been associated with lower bone density, and excessive alcohol intake can interfere with calcium absorption and affect bone remodelling.

• Genetics: Genetic Factors:
  • Genetic predisposition can influence bone health. Some individuals may have a higher genetic potential for achieving greater bone density. However, lifestyle factors still play a significant role.

It’s important to note that building and maintaining strong bones is a lifelong process. While bone density typically peaks in early adulthood, lifestyle choices can impact bone health throughout life. Consulting with a healthcare professional, especially if you have specific concerns or risk factors, is advisable to create a personalised plan for optimal bone health.

As always any questions, please get in touch.

When it comes to fitness, training and workouts we want to be doing the most we can to reach our goals and get results. Combining strength and cardio is a big trend but beware certain exercises might just be doing you more of a hindrance than a helping hand. 

First up are burpees – these are often touted as a full body exercise that builds strength and works your cardiovascular system and they certainly are. But be aware they are also an exercise which are one of the most common culprits for poor form. Burpees engage multiple muscle groups and whilst that can be a big tick for improving fitness the problem lies in the way they are performed. Poor form on a burpee can make it ineffective and even cause injury. So my advice is to really work on your technique when it comes to this exercise. If that means avoiding the jump element until your core, legs and glutes are stronger and taking the low impact option until you’re confident that your technique is 100% then this will benefit your fitness far greater than powering through 15 with questionable form. This can be particularly pertinent when heading into a second or third set as the muscles fatigue and your form can suffer.

Next up is HIIT training – high intensity interval training. This certainly has a place in a weekly workout schedule but you might not want to be doing this for every session. There has been a huge boom in HIIT classes and whilst they can be a really effective way to increase your heart, challenge your cardiovascular system and save time, it is important to note that they might not help your strength work. I include one of these sessions per week on my platform which I love for their energizing nature and cardio tick but I personally find one or two hiit sessions a week plenty. The high intensity nature, if used in all your workouts, can inhibit strength gains and the development of lean muscle. It is recommended to focus on 3 pure strength sessions each week e.g. one full body, one upper body and one lower body to maximise strength through focussed, form-orientated workouts with the correct weight to challenge your muscles and then you can add in one or two HIIT sessions to tap into that cardio-strength combo. This way you will give your muscles the stimulus they need to successfully develop strength and build lean muscle. It is important to also note that HIIT workouts might not be suitable for beginners so it’s key to build up to them or opt for lower impact options at the start.

Tricep dips – these can fall into the same category as burpees. They can be brilliant but form is crucial. Many individuals fall into the trap of allowing their shoulders to roll forwards during the dip which reduces the effectiveness of this exercise and can increase injury risk. It is a tricky exercise as it uses bodyweight to build tricep strength so, if you’re struggling with these or concerned about form, my suggestion would be to work on isolated tricep exercises e.g. tricep extensions, skull crushers or tricep kick backs with a dumbbell to build tricep strength first or slow the dips right down – it also helps to have a mirror nearby so you can watch your form to ensure correct technique.

Side bends/weighted side bends target the oblique muscles. A great exercise for the obliques but care needs to be taken. Obliques are primarily used functionally to resist or cause rotation of the trunk. Side bends focus on a lateral bend which is a key functional move – it is so important to train our muscles functionally so be sure to include exercises like a wood chop or Pallof press to train the obliques in the way they are used most in everyday life. Again these need to be done correctly without leaning forwards or overarching the back and should be done with just one weight or can be done with just bodyweight to start. It is really important to be strong through the core before you bend and without a sudden, jerky movement.

So what is the key takeaway here? To focus on our form always and ensure the exercises we are doing are targetting the correct muscle groups.

What is the best way to build strength and overall fitness? Building strength and fitness efficiently requires a balanced workout regimen. Here are the four core pillars I recommend including in yours:

• Strength training: Dedicate separate sessions for strength training that focus on compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench/chest presses, and overhead presses. Lift weights that challenge you and incorporate progressive overload to continually challenge your muscles. If you’re new to strength training, I’d recommend starting gently and building gradually and learning proper form to prevent injuries. Once you are familiar with these movements, you can start with lighter weights and gradually increase the resistance as your strength improves.
• Cardiovascular/zone 2 exercise: I’d also recommend including dedicated cardio sessions in your routine. Opt for activities you enjoy, such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, or swimming, to boost your cardiovascular health and endurance.
• Functional training: Integrate functional movements like planks, push ups, and squats, lunges which improve overall fitness, core strength, and balance, into your schedule.
• Flexibility and mobility work: Finally, don’t neglect stretching and mobility exercises! These will help you prevent injuries and maintain flexibility.

As always, any questions, please get in touch.

The word on strength training is really spreading now which I am thrilled about – as you know I am a HUGE advocate of resistance based training especially for women as we get older. We are starting to dispel some of the age old myths regarding this way of training and seeing the true benefits of using weights.

The biggest myth I have heard when it comes to strength training, building muscle and menopause is that Women over 50 cannot improve their fitness. Which is COMPLETE MADNESS – here’s why!

Yes it may well be more challenging to build muscle in our 50s but it is far from impossible. As we age, we do become less efficient at absorbing and digesting protein (note here less efficient not we “cannot”) and as a result there is a natural decline in muscle mass as we age, combined with the drop in oestrogen during menopause. But we can offset this. Adequate protein intake combined with strength training will help your body combat these changes and if you are consistent, you will feel stronger, healthier and more on top of your game, even than you did in your 20s and 30s. 

Here are my top tips to staying strong and feeling your best during your 40s, 50s and beyond:

1. Use weights – dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells! Add load and resistance to your exercise routine. Strength training using weights has so many benefits from building lean muscle, enhancing bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, improved metabolism, hormone balance, joint health, grip strength, posture, core strength and functional fitness. The list really could go on! You can read more on why women of all ages should strength train here. Remember to keep the challenge on with the weights you use to keep progressing. Little and often is also key – small chunks of exercise really do add up and all movement is good whatever it may  be.
2. Use resistance bands – these are brilliant for adding variable resistance to a workout, they’re super easy to pack so you can keep it up when on holiday or travelling for work, they are great for helping to build muscle and challenge the muscles more than just bodyweight. 
3. Get enough protein: You need to give your muscles enough amino acids (the constituent parts of protein) to build muscle and repair. Women (especially those lifting weights) are being recommended to have 1-1.2 g per kg body weight which is 65-78 g of protein for a 65 kg 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. 
4. Get your steps in – cardio is also a big part of your overall fitness even if strength training is the priority. Less Hiit and more weights. But still daily walking for mental as well as physical health is so key. Being outside in nature has so many benefits and really can be a game changer for your day.
5. Finally do not forget the importance of recovery – as important as the training itself. You must rest for muscles to repair and grow.

The key point here is that the myth around building muscle and menopause is totally busted! You can, with the correct exercise plan and dietary intake build lean muscle, offset the effects of age and menopause and feel amazing. My big piece of advice is to get started, start gently, build and be consistent – those results will come.

As always any questions please get in touch.

Caroline x