Modern Hacks Everyone Should Know To Amplify Your Fitness Journey
If you drop into pretty much any corner of the internet, you're sure to find a new wellness hack or two. Recent years have seen kombucha for gut health, jade eggs as saviours of your vagina, and the keto diet as the solution to just about any health issue - and these are just a few of the countless cleanses, detoxes, diets, workouts, and wellness regimens we've encountered, all of which usually required a steep investment of time or money (or both).
Unsurprisingly, most professionals or longtime athletes say that the simplest hacks are the best ones, and you won't catch many of them deviating too far from the normal practices of eating well, sleeping enough, and moving their bodies regularly. Here's a few of our favourite fitness hacks we believe to be worthwhile modern day practises to consider in addition to the well known essential basics.
Foam Roller Reformer Pilates
Reformer Pilates can help improve and maintain overall physical fitness – leading to greater strength, flexibility and balance, which in turn can improve posture, movement and mental health. Reformer Pilates should form a key component to any person wanting to improve their overall fitness. Unfortunately attending reformer pilates classes can be a hassle, and not to mention expensive! Good news is that we have a hack that allow you to ditch the price tag and studio hassle, enters foam roller reformer... Strengthen, tone, stretch and refresh your mental health with this low impact option using a simple long foam roller at home, and here's an option.
Follow our absolute favourite online class by lovable Brian Spencer from East River Pilates and Good Moves with Well + Good. Brian is extremely knowledgable, you'll glide through this 23 minute class feeling energised and strong.
Hormonal Cycle Workouts
If you exercise regularly, you’ve likely had your period show up right before an important or more intense workout. When it happens, it’s more than just annoying. It can also negatively impact your motivation, energy, and performance.
Despite it seeming like a game of chance, there is a way to start syncing your workouts in order to take advantage of the hormonal shifts in your body, it’s called cycle syncing. When it comes down to it, the menstrual cycle is simply a series of hormonal shifts, and those shifts can be used to your advantage, specifically when it comes to the workouts you do in each phase of your menstrual cycle. In fact, syncing other aspects of your life, like cycle syncing your food and cycle syncing your skin care can also have a positive impact on your health. Long term, it’s an incredible way to balance hormones naturally.
When implemented properly, cycle syncing workouts can make it easier to stick with a fitness plan, decrease recovery time, and as a result—improve how you look, feel, and perform. It also means not fighting your body or working against it, which as a general principle is a way more enjoyable way to live.
Align App by Bailey Brown is an enchanting safe space to conveniently align Your cycle with a 28 day pilates and nutrition programme that will help you start working with your body as a woman and live in alignment with your menstrual cycle. You’ll learn to connect with your body, understand it's natural rhythms and thrive in all seasons of your cycle.
Adaptogens To Enhance Fitness & Recovery
Research has discovered that physical activity adds to a sense of overall wellness, promotes restful sleep, and keeps the body in shape. Plus, exercise garners numerous unseen benefits, such as an increase in lifespan and better digestion. Physical activity also creates a natural breakdown of cells, reduces wear and tear on the body, and the potential of injuries.
Certain herbs in India, now called “adaptogens,” have been used for thousands of years to help restore the body from physical and mental exertion, and now they have found a new application in reducing stress, addressing sports-related injuries and muscle/endurance building to name a few.
Of all the Ayurvedic plants, those that are classified as adaptogens — foods and herbs that tackle stress — hold the most promise for exercise-related situations. Depending on the intensity of your training routine, your body needs more oxygen, nutrients that rebuild damaged muscles, a way to increase lung capacity, and a stronger cardiovascular system. It’s also important to handle inflammation and process the breakdown of cells due to physical exertion.
Ashwagandha - The Rejuvenator
Ashwagandha, sometimes referred to as “the rejuvenator,” is described in ancient texts as being analogous to what we might call a superfood. The Ayurvedic herb offers so many benefits, ranging from stress management to blood sugar balance. Ashwagandha is supposed to significantly increases oxygen supplies throughout the body, this not only helps oxygenate the muscles, heart, and lungs, but it also aids in recovery. And, for regular gym-goers, Ashwagandha has the potential to not only help improve muscular strength, but also size.
Ginger & Turmeric
Two more herbs to consider for sports and exercise are turmeric and ginger. Often considered spices or foods, these staples of the Indian pantry address pain and inflammation, which commonly result from most athletic activities. While these two symptoms are inevitable for anyone who exercises on a regular basis, they often restrict range of motion and hamper optimum performance, causing a catch-22: A lack of exercise can cause inflammation, but it’s also true that exercise may lead to pain and inflammation, which keeps you from exercising.