Kayla Itsines, the globally renowned fitness influencer and creator of the Sweat app, continues to inspire millions with her dedication to health, fitness, and well-being. Through her social media platforms, Kayla shares not just workouts but also insights into her personal lifestyle, from the importance of balanced meals to the need for intentional training. Her approach is holistic, emphasizing both physical fitness and mental wellness. Whether she’s demonstrating a high-intensity workout, offering advice on how to train with purpose, or reminding her followers of the importance of self-care, Kayla's message is clear: fitness is a lifelong journey. In this article, we delve into some of Kayla's key fitness philosophies and routines, offering a glimpse into how she maintains her incredible physique while inspiring others to do the same.
1. She Eats Balanced Meals
Itsines reflects on the importance of balanced meals, a practice deeply rooted in her upbringing. She expresses gratitude for having grown up in a household where food was treated with respect and care, always reflecting a healthy mindset. The meals she enjoyed were not just nutritious but also delicious, embodying the word "balanced." Her Mediterranean background played a significant role in shaping this approach to food, where every meal was a celebration and a way to bring family together. Now, as a mother, she strives to pass down the same philosophy to her children, Arna and Jax. Kayla emphasizes that food should never be something you feel you need to "earn," advocating for a healthy and guilt-free relationship with eating.
2. She Mixes High Intensity Workouts With Weight Training
For those who love to combine high-intensity workouts with weight training, Itsines has created the perfect routine. She recently shared a fun and challenging workout that includes both strength and cardio elements, ensuring a full-body burn. The workout begins with a warm-up to stretch and open up the hips, preparing the body for the intense session ahead. The main workout consists of exercises like Goblet Squats, Single Leg Hip Thrusts, and Romanian Deadlifts, all interspersed with bursts of skipping to keep the heart rate up. Kayla's passion for fitness shines through as she encourages her followers to save the workout for later and enjoy the satisfying burn that comes with a well-rounded routine.
3. She Encourages You to Train Intentionally
As a personal trainer, Itsines often encounters people who train without clear intentions, simply following random workouts they find on social media. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok can provide workout inspiration, Kayla warns against blindly copying routines from unqualified sources, especially if they don't align with your personal fitness goals. She advises her followers to train with purpose, starting by identifying their "why"—the reason they are dedicating time to working out. By understanding their goals and seeking guidance from certified professionals, individuals can achieve better results. Kayla emphasizes the importance of consistency and following a structured plan, but also suggests that beginners explore different workout styles to discover what they enjoy most before committing to a specific regimen.
4. She Cares For Her Body
Itsines recently shared her experience of working with massage therapists and physiotherapists, emphasizing the importance of self-care, even for fitness professionals. Despite being a personal trainer herself, Kayla acknowledges that she, too, needs help from healthcare professionals to manage the physical demands of her job. She was surprised by a comment suggesting that as a trainer, she shouldn't need external help, a misconception she quickly dispels. Kayla explains that most athletes and trainers regularly work with professionals to prevent injuries and maintain their bodies, particularly when training at a high level. She shares that her most common injuries come from demonstrating improper techniques in her "what not to do" videos, and she also faces challenges from having had two children. Kayla stresses that taking care of your body is a lifelong commitment, one that doesn't end with achieving a fitness certification or reaching elite status.
5. She Works Her Core With This “No Equipment Abs Workout”
Kayla Itsines loves to work her core, and she recently shared an intense ab workout to help her followers do the same. The routine, which she demonstrated alongside Demi, consists of exercises like Ab Bikes, Leg Raises, and Side Plank Crunches, all designed to target the abdominal muscles effectively. With three rounds of this challenging sequence, Kayla promises a core workout that will leave you feeling the burn. She encourages those looking for a new challenge to try the workout through the Sweat app, offering a 7-day free trial to get started. This ab-focused session is perfect for anyone wanting to strengthen their core and achieve a toned midsection.
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