During lockdown we’ve loved signing in to the Zoom exercise classes from P.T. and Psycle strength instructor, Lottie Barron. Her website, Lottie’s Fitness is the place to sign up to the three live classes per week that run on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6pm and Saturday at 10am. Lottie brings so much energy to her classes that you can’t help but feel better, as well as fitter afterwards. Now an expert in the home workout, we asked her to share some of the kit she rates:
Leggings
Lululemon’s new Wunder Train leggings feel like butter. Designed to keep you cool and dry throughout workouts they contain Everlux™, a super fast-drying fabric which also makes them speedy to wash and dry. For yoga, are soft and non-see through.
Sports bras
is great for low impact sports like yoga, barre and pilates. For high impact sports, Shockabsorber offers the best support and can be ordered in your specific bra size instead of generic S-M-L. Their is a favourite.
Tops
is technical whilst being loose fitting. It’s ideal for all sorts of exercise.
Trainers
For running, the make it feel like you’re walking on air. They’re so comfy, light and durable too. For high-impact workouts at home or for classes at the gym, give you the stability you need. You want more traction than running trainers, and these are breathable too.
Mats
is my favourite ever – it works for everything from sweaty workouts to yoga. Another good option, both for quality and value for money are , made in Germany and available via Initially London. These can be personalised and make great presents.
Home Gym Kit
Foam rolling helps to relieve muscle tightness, soreness and inflammation as well as increase your joint range of motion. Add a Core Balance Roller to your warm-up to get blood flowing to your muscles or as a cool down to prevent stiffness.
When starting to increase your fitness, add resistance bands for activation and to add resistance to body weight exercises. Whilst people have been fashioning their own weights from whatever’s lying around at home, it’s helpful to know what you’re lifting so that you can slowly increase your strength. Neoprene handheld dumbbells are ideal for weights up to 5kg. For higher weights, order a set of and remove or add weight based on the workout you’re doing, up to a max of 15kg.
Gliding discs add an extra challenge to your workout. These are ideal for use with hands or feet on an uncarpeted floor.
Kettlebells are a staple at the gym. These colour-coded cast iron kettlebells work well, and come in all weights from 2-14kg.
Accessories
make the best water bottles and come in 750ml rather than 500ml for those longer classes. If you haven’t tried the spiral hair toggle, it’s a game-changer. Keep hair tied back with a . And a is a good thing to have by your side for home workouts.
Post work-out shake
Protein helps to repair and rebuild your muscles after exercise. I love Form Superblend Protein available at Planet Organic that contains fibre, prebiotics, probiotics and organic pea protein. Plus it tastes delicious!
Lottie’s Fitness offers 3 live full bodyweight classes a week, all also available on-demand. A Little Bird readers can get 50% off THE MOTIVATOR (access to all three live classes in a week for £6 instead of the usual £12) with the code: ALITTLEBIRD50. Valid until 1 July 2020, one per person. Follow @lotties.fitness for more.
