Trainers back on message for 2014
CONTRARY to popular belief, personal trainers are human, too. And like you and me, they’ve scoffed their way through turkey, trifle and chocolates over the festive season.
And, this month these top personal trainers will be getting back in the saddle for their busiest time of the year and helping others to get back in shape. The big question is are they as hard on themselves as they are on their clients?
We talked to five of Ireland’s best trainers to see how they look after their own bodies — and what 2014 has in store for them.
is ex-Olympic athlete, personal trainer and motivational speaker, based in Cork. See ¦ www.gillianosullivan.com
“For my own health and wellness, I run five times a week, about 30 miles in all. I also do a weights circuit two to three times a week. That’s my own personal goal and like everyone else, I’m always just about squeezing it in.
“In winter, it’s important to have a plan for your training. If you can’t manage early mornings, then think of a way around this. Maybe hire a treadmill or join a gym for three months to get you over the hump of the winter.
“For the diet, nourish yourself with homemade soup. It’s warm and filling and doesn’t contain too many calories. It’s a great filler at lunch time or in the evenings.
“I usually let myself eat what I want from Christmas Eve to the day after St Stephen’s day — I love Christmas cake and Roses — then I try to get back to normal.
“Also, I keep active by doing long walks with family and friends so that I can offload some of the damage.
“My New Year’s resolution is to be more organised and to bring more food to work with me. Sometimes, I don’t get a chance to eat properly and end up getting something at the shop. It’s impossible to get something healthy, so I need to bring a lunch box with me. Being organised is the key.”
is a trainer and fascial stretch therapist at ISI Personal Training (Artane and Lower Hatch, Street, Dublin). ¦ www.isipersonaltraining.com.
“I look after my own health and fitness by having a realistic approach to everything. It needs to be manageable and fit into my hectic day. Planning and preparation is a big factor in achieving this.
“I aim to workout four times per week in the gym for about 40 minutes each time. Short but intense exercise is the best option for most people.
“My own weak spots over Christmas is the cold weather and of course mince pies. I have to be mentally strong and I ask my wife not to buy mince pies. If they’re not in the house then it’s not an issue. I do allow myself to switch off on Christmas week though.
“In winter I ramp up my supplements for everyone in our home. I aim to take more vitamin D3 and vitamin C in conjunction with everything else I take — multi-vitamin, fish oil, magnesium and zinc. I also gravitate towards produce that’s in season locally.
“I have been carrying a little niggle in my knee for some time now so a big goal for me this year would be to be injury-free. I will also be aiming to spend more time on creating balance in my body so I will aim to stretch more instead of just trying to be stronger.”
is a personal trainer based in Galway. A cofounder of the 40-Day Method programme, she regularly runs bootcamp events in Salthill. ¦ www.jessicacooke.ie
“I run, lift weights and do interval training. I love it. I run two to three times per week, there’s a four mile route I do near home, and half of it is through a park, with lots of trees, which is so relaxing.
“On the days I’m not running I spend about an hour in my studio interval training and lifting weights. I make the session super tough, and I am destroyed by the end of it.
“As regards my general diet, I eat ‘clean’, avoid carbs after 5pm and stay off sugar, five days per week. I allow myself two treat evenings at the weekend, after 6pm, to indulge in what I like. This way works for me so well, and I’m so motivated come Monday morning to workout and eat well.
“Christmas is such an indulgent time of year, it is very hard to resist all the tasty treats. The thing that works best for me is to take proper time off, where I allow myself to indulge, rather than feeling guilty the whole time.
“It’s so frustrating when I see people work out four times a week but eating badly, because they’re never going to see results yet they’re putting all their efforts into the workouts. Working out too much, going hell for leather, and then packing it all in after two weeks because they’re tired.
“My plan for this year is to be as fit and healthy as I was in 2013 and enter lots of 10ks. I also plan to enjoy my life and to love every second of those times when I’m out running, the wind against me.”
is a celebrity personal trainer based in Dublin.
At his boutique destination property based in Castlefreke, Clonakilty in Cork, Pat and his son Karl regularly run four-day detox programmes. ¦ www.henrys.ie
“My one indulgence at Christmas would be sherry trifle. But you have to go with the flow and indulge, then get back into your routine. You eat with your mind, so you’re better to indulge and burn it off afterwards than drive yourself crazy thinking about stuff you crave.
“We go surfing down in Inchydoney at Christmas and would spend a fair bit of time in the water. I spend more time in the water than on the board, but when you’re spending that much time getting up on the board again and again it’s a good workout. We would do a fair bit of walking over Christmas too.
“There’s no real gym work happening as this is a time for everyone to chill out and give their body a break for the New Year. If you’ve worked really hard all year, it’s good to give yourself a treat before getting back into your normal plan and getting your mind back to where it was before.
“The big mistake people make in the gym is that they work out too much.
“We have people who come in three times a day, and that’s insanity. After an hour your body shuts down and won’t burn off fat, so an hour at a time in the gym is enough.
“In 2014 I’m planning to try and take a body part a day — arms, shoulders, chest — and concentrate the workout on it. Giving the body an intense shock is how you’ll get the best results.
“I also want to take up paddleboarding. It’s difficult but the workout you get is fantastic, especially if there’s a couple of waves around.”
is a trainer at Bodybyrne Fitness in Clarendon Street Dublin, founded by her husband Paul. Clients include Keith Duffy, Rosanna Davison and Kathryn Thomas. ¦ www.bodybyrne.ie
“If I don’t work out I feel terrible. I work out about four or five times a week. My workouts mainly consist of heavy strength training and a small amount of cardio, usually a 5k run with Armand my dog and my baby (eight-month-old daughter Regan). From a young age I’ve always been involved in fitness from Judo and Jujitsu to kickboxing, then I found a passion for strength training. When I met Paul I just became more involved.
“I will pretty much train every day apart from Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day.
“For Christmas I didn’t have traditional food, but instead made everything we avoid throughout the year like lasagne, garlic bread etc.
“During the year, I try to eat a clean diet on Monday to Friday, meaning high lean protein, lots of vegetables, small amounts of fruit like berries and essential fats like avocado and nuts. On the weekend I relax a bit.
“My resolutions for 2014 are to develop a follow-on app for women getting back in shape after pregnancy to follow the release of my strength training through pregnancy app.
“I also always set a challenge for myself each year. The last few years have been about half Iron Man training, so this year I’ll be planning a new challenge.
“I always like to get out of my comfort zone so no doubt it will be something that scares me.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
