If there's any fitness couple that we're currently crushing on, it's Made In Chelsea stars Ryan Libbey and Louise Thompson. We mean, have you looked at their Instagram?!?! It's buff body central.
Now, here at heatworld, we're all for body positivity, and we love a good fitness session. BUT, we have to admit, we have no idea what we're doing when we're working out.
So, naturally, Ryan Libbey came to the rescue and offered to share some of his and Louise's fave fitness and diet tips. Here's what we learnt...
So, Ryan! What kind of workouts do you recommend for improving fitness and toning the body?
"I’m a huge fan of HIIT workouts (high intensity interval training), because they're so effective if you do them properly. You can play around with the fundamental exercises like squats, lunges, burpess and press ups. You don't even need any equipment!
"I've trained with a similar format for years and years and years - I do a combination of HIIT training and heavy resistance workouts, and Louise Thompson does the same."
Can we do HIIT workouts at home?
"Yeah, but classes are good too. I recommend Strong by Zumba, because I love the music - I’m a sucker for a good beat. The class involves fundamental movements like squats, burpees and press ups. There’s also a really good spirit within a class group workout."
How often do we need to work out (realistically now Ryan!)?
"If you are doing HIIT workouts, do 3 a week, each one being 45 minutes long. I would mix up HIIT workouts with weight training." Ryan, this is music to our ears because we're lazy AF.
How often does Louise Thompson exercise?
"Louise only does 2 workouts a week, but she trains very hard. One of them is a full body weights session that lasts an hour and a half. In that session, she integrates HIIT at the end or in-between the weights by sprinting or using the rowing machine."
Do we need to use weights?
"I recommend using weights, but you don't need to go heavy, just make sure you challenge yourself.
"For a beginner who wants to gain muscle tone or improve general fitness, it’s the reps and the sets that you want to control. You want to focus on weights, reps, sets and rest periods."
FYI in case y'all didn't know, reps = a complete motion of an exercise, e.g. one squat, and sets = repetitions of an exercise set in a group, e.g. 1 set of 12 reps. Got it?
Ryan advises that "when you're doing stuff likes squats, lunges or ab workouts, use light weights. Do 3 sets of 12-15 reps, and rest for 90 seconds between each set. This will burn fat and improve muscle tone."
Okay, so should we take any supplements?
"The supplement industry is quite fancy, so if you want to keep it basic, drink black coffee and coconut oil before a workout. It gets you going and coconut oil is a good source of energy.
"If you want to try supplements then I'd recommend BCAAs, it's a powdered supplement you can mix with water to drink throughout your workout." BTW guys, BCAAs stands for Branch Chain Amino Acids, which are basically essential amino acids that help to make up the structure of new muscle tissue. Fancy, we know.
Ryan told heatworld that "Louise takes BCAAs, because it helps energise, hydrate, prevent muscle breakdown and promote muscle building."
Try: Blackwolf Huntress Pre, During and Post Workout Formula, from £29.95 at Blackwolf Workout.
What about after a workout?
"After a workout, nutrition and hydration is key. Eat 60-90 minutes after you exercise and drink water to flush out waste products. Generally speaking, I would say to take a protein shake after too, as it’s very effective in getting the protein that you need into your system."
Thanks for the tips Ryan bbz, we can't wait to put them into practice.
Ryan Libbey is the brand ambassador for Strong by Zumba.
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