Gemma Atkinson In Workout Gear Says “Get a Good Stretch”

British actress and presenter Gemma Atkinson is reminding followers how important it is to stretc hevery day. Atkinson, 39, shared a video of herself wearing black yoga pants and a matching tank top, doing exercises on a mat in her home gym. “I’ve always weight trained but I didn’t always take the time to incorporate stretching into my programs when I was younger. I 100% do now. I made a point of dedicating 8 to 10 mins in the evening before bed to stretch and overtime I began to make progress to where I am now. Stretching helps reduce injury in not only training but daily activities in general. It can massively help reduce aches and pains and it increases blood flow to the muscle. A good stretch also helps us to destress. A must for most of us! I know it’s boring to start with but you’ll soon learn to love it, and your body will thank you in the long run 🧘‍♀️ 💓,” she captioned the post. Here’s what Atkinson’s diet and wellness regimen looks like as a busy mom-of-two.

1. Home Gym and Boxing

Atkinson works out at home and also takes classes. “We have a home gym, so I use all the weight training machines, but I am also a fan of Thai boxing as body strength is so important as you get older,” she told Women’s Fitness. “I focus on my flexibility and mobility as I am so conscious to keep an eye on my bone density so that I grow older without any health problems. When Gorka [Márquez] is at home he loves training with me and we do push-ups together, but I prefer to do my own thing as he is an extreme athlete so what he does is super-intense workouts.”

2. Learning About Nutrition

Atkinson taught herself about nutrition, and says it changed her health for the better. “When I was younger and probably more shallow, I got into fitness to keep my figure – but it dawned on me that training was so much harder without the right nutrition,” she told I Love Manchester. “I could get away with eating the odd McDonald’s and takeaways, and I’d be okay, but I wasn’t feeling great. I was quite bloated, and my skin wasn’t great. So I did a course on nutrition, just to look into it and see where I was going wrong. It dawned on me, you can’t out-train a bad diet. If I was fuelling my body properly, it enabled me to perform better in the gym.”

3. Balanced Diet

Atkinson doesn’t restrict herself when it comes to her diet. “I am probably 70 per cent sensible and then 30 per cent eat what I fancy,” she told Women’s Fitness. “I was brought up having a chip tea every Friday and I continue to do that. My motto is train and fuel yourself, not diet and exercise… My father died when I was 17 so I know how precious life is and relish the simple things. I’m not talking about beauty spas or nice holidays; for me, I just love to relax in a hot bath with Epsom salts, eat good food and rest. I embrace getting older, rather than dread it. I love the aging process and treat each birthday like a new chapter in my life.”

4. Healthy Aging

Atkinson wants to be fit for as long as possible. “I don’t want to be an 80-year-old woman stuck in a chair on an oxygen machine, if I can help it,” she told I Love Manchester. “Obviously some things are out of our control, but if someone said you can get to that age and still be playing with your grandkids and still driving and doing all these things, just by making better choices in your youth, then I’m all for it.”

5. Keeping It Real

Atkinson tries to keep it authentic on social media. “I’m not afraid to be myself,” she told Women’s Fitness. “I am all for posting pictures of myself doing a workout with my hair tied back in a scrunchie and sweat pouring down my face. No filters, nothing airbrushed! I also feel it helps people connect with me as, yes, whilst I maybe seen as ‘a celebrity’ I am just a normal woman like everyone else. I’m so glad there was no social media when I was growing up.”

Gemma Atkinson is an actress, radio host, and wellness maven. She also works incredibly hard to stay in shape. Atkinson just shared a swimsuit photo to her Instagram story. In it, she got in an ice bath while wearing a red one-piece. She captioned the photo, “Love/hate relationship with the ice bath.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Gemma Atkinson stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Works Out In The Mornings

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Atkinson opened up about her wellness secrets and routines to Womens Fitness. She says that she usually works out in the mornings, as it’s easy for her schedule. “It is vital to me as when I have worked out it totally changes how I feel – I’m not only a better mother, but fiancé and friend, too. I’m a sucker for routine and, as anyone knows, with a toddler it is difficult to find time in the day to focus on exercise. So, I get up everyday at 5am to get my fitness in before Mia wakes up at 7am. By then I am in a really good head space to face the day and focus on her needs.”

2. She Does A Variety Of Workouts

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Atkinson tells Womens Fitness that she does a lot of different workouts. “We have a home gym, so I use all the weight training machines, but I am also a fan of Thai boxing as body strength is so important as you get older. I focus on my flexibility and mobility as I am so conscious to keep an eye on my bone density so that I grow older without any health problems.”

3. She Eats A Balanced Diet

Atkinson is a big believer in balance, especially when it comes to her diet. She tells Womens Fitness, “I don’t restrict myself too much. I am probably 70 per cent sensible and then 30 per cent eat what I fancy. I was brought up having a chip tea every Friday and I continue to do that. My motto is train and fuel yourself, not diet and exercise.”

4. She’s True To Herself

Atkinson is all about being real. Especially when it comes to her social media. She tells Womens Fitness, “I am all for being myself, flaws and all. It is the best way one can be. Otherwise, it is a total act, and how can you live out a lie posting pictures of yourself on socials and then seeing people in real life looking nothing like them? I can’t understand it.”

5. She Eats Healthy

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

Atkinson broke down what she typically eats in an interview with Ultimate Performance. “Breakfast-wise, I’ve been eating three eggs, spinach and half an avocado. Or I swap spinach for kale. It’s basically protein, fats and fibre for my breakfast. Then I have my oats and whey mid-morning, which I love. My lunch is normally white meat and veg. I don’t eat any red meat. I have only chicken and fish, and I have that with a load of vegetables again. Post-training is my whey shake with a banana, which I have straight after training. Then again, my evening meal is white meat, lots of veg and sweet potato. That’s it really.”

Actress and presenter Gemma Atkinson is showing fans what her workouts look like when she’s short on time and wants maximum results. Atkinson, 39, shared a video of herself wearing black leggings and a sports bra, doing a mat workout with weights. “Short and sweaty ✅. Kept my workout to 25 mins with just 5 rounds of the above circuit. 50 seconds on each station, 10 second rest in between. Great if you’re short on time or if you have limited equipment 👍🏼,” she captioned the post. Here’s how the British star stays fit and healthy.

1. Weight Sessions and HIIT

Atkinson works out with a personal trainer. “I do three weights sessions per week at the gym. I do compound movements and supersets,” she told Your Healthy Living. “I train with my trainer, who’s called Evil Steve, and I try to do between 45 minutes and an hour. It’s lots of weightlifting, squats and lunges. I have two days a week where I’ll do around 30 minutes of cardio and I’ll either do a long walk with my dogs or go on the stairmaster. Some days, if work is manic, I’ll try to do at least 20 minutes HIIT training in the living room.”

2. Protein, Vegetables, and Dark Chocolate

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Atkinson gets up at 4 a.m. to host her radio show. “Before I go into work I’ll have three scrambled eggs along with half an avocado and some spinach and a coffee,” she told Your Healthy Living. “Lunch is usually a chicken salad or chicken and vegetables. Mid afternoon I quite like to have an apple with some peanut butter or a banana. For my evening meal I might have some cod with sweet potatoes and lots of veg. Then after tea I’ll always have a square of 90 percent dark chocolate. It’s good for satisfying sweet cravings but you can’t eat too much of it.”

3. Long Walks

Atkinson enjoys active weekends spent outdoors with her family. “I like to relax at the weekend and love to walk with the dog near my house in Manchester, getting the fresh air and spending time with the family,” she told Get the Gloss. “As I’ve got older I realize there's no need to spend a fortune on fancy weekends and instead I love to go outside in nature and enjoy taking in the fresh air and vitamin D.”

4. 80/20 Rule For Diet

Atkinson is sensible about her diet, allowing indulgences when she feels the need. “I’m very aware of the fact that at certain times of the month I just want chocolate, wine and pizza so I never deny myself,” she told Your Healthy Living. “I haven’t eaten red meat for about seven years now and I love lean protein such as chicken and fish. When it comes to carbohydrates I love sweet potatoes, rice and oats. So if it crows or grows or swims I’ll eat it, but if it’s processed then I’ll avoid it. If there’s anything I can’t pronounce on the label then I don’t really want to be eating it.”

5. Beauty From Within

Atkinson has a holistic approach to health, wellness, and beauty. “Being a vegetarian is important to me and I think it's vital to keep the body well hydrated and to exercise well,” she told Get the Gloss. “If I don't drink enough water I get ratty and headachy and suffer with problem skin. One of the most important things is to think about is what you put into your body; there's no point in spending a fortune on creams and products if you don’t keep your body well-nourished and hydrated. Like a fish needs to be in a clean environment to thrive, our systems need to be nourished and hydrated and I believe a beauty routine should follow this.”

Gemma Atkinson is an actress, known for her roles on Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and Casualty. She’s a DJ who hosts on the Hits Radio Network. And she’s also become a fitness maven. Atkinson and her fiancé, Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, recently enjoyed a beach day. Atkinson and Marquez shared a new photo on their Instagram stories from the day. She wore a orange and white checkered bathing suit, looking stunning. Marquez captioned the post, “Sunsets with my ❤.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see ways Gemma Atkinson stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Schedules Workouts

Atkinson opened up about how she balances her fitness with motherhood in an interview with Women’s Fitness. She says that she makes sure to schedule her workouts. “I’m a sucker for routine,” she says. “As anyone knows, with a toddler it is difficult to find time in the day to focus on exercise. So, I get up everyday at 5am to get my fitness in before Mia wakes up at 7am. By then, I am in a really good head space to face the day and focus on her needs.”

2. She Does A Variety Of Workouts

Atkinson shared some of her favorite workouts to Women’s Fitness. She says that she does a variety of things to stay in shape. “I use all the weight training machines,” she says. “But I am also a fan of Thai boxing, as body strength is so important as you get older. I focus on my flexibility and mobility, as I am so conscious to keep an eye on my bone density so that I grow older without any health problems.”

3. She Doesn’t Restrict Herself

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Atkinson also opened up about her approach to dieting to Women’s Fitness. She says that she doesn’t like to restrict herself and believes in balance. “I don’t restrict myself too much. I am probably 70 per cent sensible and then 30 per cent eat what I fancy. I was brought up having a chip tea every Friday and I continue to do that. My motto is train and fuel yourself, not diet and exercise.”

4. She Watches Her Portions

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Atkinson revealed some of the wellness secrets she has picked up to Confidential. She says that she has learned to watch her portions. “The biggest thing I've changed is my portion sizes. Learning portion control has had a huge impact. I used to hate leaving food, but now if I’m full, I’ll stop eating. I've realised I don’t need all the food I thought I did. I eat what I need now, rather than what I want.

5. She Preps Her Food

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

Atkinson doesn’t just schedule her workouts. She also plans out her meals. “Food preparation has been key for me on my twelve-week transformation,” she says to Confidential. “It really helps you stick to the plan because you don’t want to get caught short and just have to grab whatever food is available.”

Gemma Atkinson is getting her sweat on – with her husband. In a new social media post the Hollyoaks star hits the gym with Gorka Marquez during an intense exercise session. Gemma has been training at Ultimate Performance for four weeks, engaging in weight and strength training sessions after having her second child. She has committed to 12 weeks of intense workouts. “I want to start feeling strong again,” she says in another workout video. Weight lifting, sled pushes, squats and lunges, and lots of ab work are helping her get back into shape. Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

1. This Is What She Eats in a Day

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

Gemma detailed her diet to Hello. “I'll either have poached eggs on a bagel with avocado and some greens, or I'll have my porridge with almonds, berries and honey," she dished. "Then I'll train and I'll probably have a smoothie mid-morning with whey protein, coconut milk, almonds, frozen spinach, frozen broccoli and frozen cauliflower,” she added. "I make a butternut squash but I put cashew nuts in it which makes it nice and creamy," she continued. "Lunch can be a big salad or chickpeas with pesto or veg or some Mexican rice. I've always loved Mexican food. I think it's been ten years since I ate any red meat but I used to love fish tacos." And for dinner? "Sometimes I'll just have a shake before bed or sometimes Gorka will make a Spanish omelette which is great."

2. Sleep

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

Gemma understands the importance of getting rest. 'I get up at 4.30am to present Manchester’s Key 103 Breakfast Show. I swear by getting six hours’ sleep,” she told Women’s Health. What are the health benefits of sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, getting enough z’s is a mood booster, promotes heart health, regulates blood sugar, improves mental function, restores your immune system, helps relieve stress, and aids in weight loss.

3. Hydration

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

Gemma drinks “three litres of water a day,” she told Women’s Health. According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

4. “Heavy” Weight Training

Gemma Atkinson/Instagram

“My 12-week transformation—and current training—does involve a lot of heavy weight training. I’ve always gone to the gym – but this taught me to focus on the quality of my workouts, not the quantity,” Gemma told Women’s Health.

5. No Red Meat

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“I haven’t eaten red meat in five years, and I limit my dairy intake. I love animals and there’s cruelty in how these foods are produced. I’m working towards becoming pescetarian, then vegetarian,” she told Women’s Health.

6. Cheat Weekends

“The weekend is my time to rest. I don’t train – I’ll go for long dog walks instead. If I fancy it, I’ll have pizza, pasta or a glass of wine. I aim for 80% what my body needs, and 20% what it wants,” Gemma told Women’s Health.